Take a look at the picture below. Plant outdoors in early spring as long as temperatures don’t drop below 50°F. I noticed last year that if I picked the larger, fuller mint/basil leaves from the bottom, then the stalks seemed to get woodier and thicker, and the plants continued to grow - but I'd think that the height that they eventually attained actually hurt them and kept them from growing as much as they could have. Sandra Leone, April 28, 2017. Lots of people don’t realize this important basil storage tip so make sure to share it with your friends! However, it may be quite sensitive during the cold season and easily reacts negatively even to light frost to the extent of entirely dying. Air drying herbs is the traditional method (plus it’s fun to see bundles of herbs hanging around), but there are ways to speed up the process. When to Pick Basil. Don't pick all the leaves off one plant or … Pick basil in the morning when the essential oils are at their peak freshness. They should grow to about 12 to 24 inches in height. Make sure that you harvest it regularly because the basil plant will replace every single leaf that you harvest with 2 new ones. Did you know that many delicious kitchen herbs repel spiders? I've decided to share my knowledge with everyone that wants to grow his own food and enjoy the process. Regular harvesting will do a lot to prevent flowering, but some will likely sneak by and need cut off. I can’t wait to make fresh olive oil and basil sauce for pasta, and many other ideas that you listed. The flowers are insignificant but very popular with bees. Afterwards, you can store the basil leaves in a plastic container and keep in the freezer for several months. A tomato plant (center) growing alongside basil. Once they are reach 6-8 inches tall, pinch the central stem back by half and about ¼ inch above the leaf axils. Of course, the biggest benefit is that you get to enjoy freshly picked basil leaves, but harvesting is also good for your plants. How to freeze basil leaves with blanching. Discover how to harvest basil (without killing it!) Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. For more protection, cut ventilation slits in paper bags and put one around each bunch. According to HarvestToTable.com, harvesting basil leaves should occur 50 to 60 days after planting. You get fresh pieces of herbs for your kitchen or therapeutic needs and at the same time you are helping your plant to grow richer and healthier. Not only is basil beneficial in the kitchen, this herb being a family of mint also provides a wide range of health advantages and is filled with minerals, nutrients, and antioxidants. However, the stem always turns black and dies after about a week. Work your way from the top down to the bottom, cutting a third of the total height of your plant. For dehydrating herb harvests from a backyard garden, a round, smaller dehydrator works fine. Glass containers are the best storage option. Those are the plants you want to buy. The leaves that you should remove are those growing on the top of the plant. Zones: 2-11 (as an annual, zones 10-11 as a perennial), Needs: Moist, well-drained soil and full to partial sun. Harvesting a leaf here and a leaf there won’t prompt the same level for growth. If you have a food dehydrator, you can use it on a low setting for 12-24 hours to dry basil. Remove your basil leaves from the stems, wash them, and spin them dry in a. Pick your favorite from this handy list! Every time I bring a basil plant home it last for a few days to a week then it will turn brown and die a slow death.Following along, as I've had similar 'not successful' growing basil - both indoors and outdoors (in a pot, in-ground; Virginia Sunny, "part-shade", etc. Whether it is for a savory or therapeutic use, what matters most is you do not waste some good fresh basil by harvesting it the wrong way. The common way to harvest basil in smaller amounts is by directly picking off its leaves, while pruning or cutting off a part of the plant’s stem may be required for you to harvest in a larger amount. I want it to grow bigger however the stem always turn black and dies after I trim it. After rinsing the fresh basil, air dry or pat it dry using a clean paper towel. I have been cutting about 2 or 3 inches from the top of the stem leaving many leaves below it. Watch to see where to cut and how much of the plant to remove so you can harvest basil without killing it: Set yourself up for a great harvest by pruning plants while they are still small. You can take off single leaves as needed, but cutting off stems is what will keep new growth coming. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I have tried varying how close I come to the offshoots of leaves below my cutting line. Now that you know how to harvest basil for a fabulous crop, you’ll likely end up with more leaves than you can use! Why Are My Hydrangea Leaves So Small And How To Fix It? I actually did cut it like that a couple times but then felt bad and thought I might be killing the plant, lol. ), How to Harvest Thyme: tips for picking thyme & preserving your harvest, How to Harvest Mint (and what to do with lots of mint). Pinching back the stems to the next leaf cluster does pruning properly. Instructions Inspect your basil plant to find a long stem. Discover these herb gardening resources including which herbs to plant together, plants that repel spiders, and herb harvesting tips! Separate the leaves from the stems. You can expect your basil to last about 6 months or even more if you take good care of it. Even this very light harvesting will encourage your basil plant to grow fuller. If you make a purchase using one of these links, Together Time Family will receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Basil: Basil will be more lush and tender if watered the night before harvest. For homegrown food lovers, nothing says summer quite like freshly picked basil (unless it’s vine-ripened tomatoes to go along with it). Leaves will dry in about 3-4 weeks and will turn crispy and crumbly as long as your home isn’t too humid. The Medicinal Uses of Basil. Are you thinking of starting an herb garden? Basil will grow best in a location that gets 6 to 8 hours of full sun daily, though it can perform well in partial sun, too. Since you’re not hanging the herbs, the stems aren’t necessary and take longer to dry. Once leaves are fully dried you can strip them off the stems for easier storage but do not crush the leaves! The first one will be mainly to harvest the greens, while the other one is to reap the seeds. If the plant should ever sneak some flowers in on you, you’ve reached a fork in the road.
The leaves should crumble when crushed between your fingers. The key with basil plants is that you want to encourage them to be low and bushy rather than tall and spindly, but they have a tendency to get tall and spindly if you just leave them to grow without any kind of pruning or harvesting. Hang up your herb bunches somewhere that’s warm, dry, and has good airflow but out of direct sunlight. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Basil plants are one of the most popular herbs to grow and also one of the easiest. I can pack my husband mason jar salads for work on Sunday, seal the jars, and they’re fresh all week long. Do not forget to pinch or cut about a quarter inch above a leaf node. It will likely mildew before it dries if the weather is humid. Mint (Mentha ssp.) When harvesting basil, nip out with scissors or between finger and thumb, the tips of the plants back to just above a pair of leaves. Once you learn how easy it is to pick and dry thyme, you'll never buy it from the grocery store again! Harvesting basil is truly a win-win situation. Don't put all your efforts to waste. You only need 2 tablespoons of olive oil per loosely packed cup of basil leaves. The little leaves you leave behind on the plant will form new stalks for a nice, healthy basil bush and a bumper crop of basil. Also, how to store it." In growing basil, it is also important to observe the spacing between each plant. All type… This post includes affiliate links. The top is picked during the budding period. Pick stems at the beginning of flowering, when the largest amount of essential substances is accumulated in the plant, giving it a stable, strong smell. Your email address will not be published. To be able to harvest a good quality basil, you have to, of course, make sure that it grows in a favorable condition. If you look really closely, you’ll see very tiny leaves sticking out from each side of each node. While this kind of herb is relatively easy to grow, there are still certain conditions that you need to look out for when growing your own backyard basil. With a little practice you’ll be enjoying basil for months! SAVE MONEY AND SEAL FRESHNESS IN: Meat preserved with the FoodSaver System in the freezer can last up to 3 years and still taste fresh, flavorful, and... MARINATE IN MINUTES: Get optimum flavor infusion in the least amount of time! How to Kill a Whitefly on Basil Plants Without Killing the Plant. I can’t wait to make fresh olive oil and basil sauce for pasta, and many other ideas that you listed. Harvesting of basil can begin as soon as the plant has at least six sets of leaves. Harvesting basil this way, you’ll probably be able to get 20 cups of basil from each plant per season! A gallon size ziplock bag works well. As long as you don’t take off too much of the plant, you can continue picking all throughout the summer. Your basil will retain its flavor for much longer if you keep leaves whole and only crumble them when you add them to a recipe. In the video below, I gave a young basil plant its first haircut. Make sure that it is at least 6 inches tall and do not let it get any taller than 8 inches. Water your basil plant regularly. Alternatively, if the pot is small and only has a few plants in it, plant them out into separate pots. Quickly transfer it into a bowl full of ice and after a few minutes lay it on a dry paper towel. Pinch off basil leaves at the stem. I let the basil go too long without pruning because I wasn't sure how I wanted to preserve the leaves and I haven't needed fresh basil yet. If you are harvesting the basil for leaves to use, continue until you have sufficient basil, or until you have cut the top section off every stem on the plant. Drying basil is an easy way to preserve it, and you’ll be able to keep enjoying your harvest over the winter months. Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow with many tasty and unique varieties to choose from. The key with basil plants is that you want to encourage them to be low and bushy rather than tall and spindly, but they have a tendency to get tall and spindly if you just leave them to grow without any kind of pruning or harvesting. Now that you know how to grow sweet basil successfully, it’s important to know how you can use it. Basil is mostly known in Western cuisine, particularly in Italian cuisine. However, the temperature should not drop any lower than 50°F (10°C) or the plant will not survive in the cold. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Bonus tips for keeping your parsley fresh in the fridge and drying your parsley to use it later. This keeps things like dust off your herbs and catches any leaves that fall off. You may opt to harvest basil anytime of the day as you need it, however It is highly recommended to do it early in the morning when its leaves are juicer and fresher. For larger varieties, plant farther apart (about 16 to 24 inches). Plant seeds/seedlings about ¼-inch deep and 10 to 12 inches apart. Pick the basil as you need it by cutting a few inches off the top. Thyme is an easy herb to grow and harvest. You thought you were just taking off some leaves for that nice bowl of pesto pasta you had in mind. Use your food processor or blender to puree your basil leaves with olive oil. But it is possible. A thought to keep in mind is that bees love basil flowers. In any case that you observe the soil is dry to touch, that is when you need to water your plant. A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. You need not to water it regularly; just make sure that the soil is always kept moist. I have moved my plants indoor and hope to use them all winter long and take them back outside next spring. I have tried drying herbs using the dehydrator function on my air fryer. Don’t rush basil. After all, you can always store the harvested leaves for later use. So, unless the temperature is just about right, do not waste your time and resources trying to grow a basil in cold weather. Most people think that basil plants can’t be grown by killing the existing plant. There are three stages of basil plants life cycle, and these include juvenile stage otherwise known as the seed germination stage, transition stage also known as vegetative and growth, and productive stage otherwise known as reproductive, flowering, and fruit stage. This process is called pruning which is proven to speed up basil’s growth. Just make sure you leave a couple of inches of steam at the bottom of the plant and always snip the stem about a 1/4 inch above a node, which is the place where a set of leaves or stems meet up with the main stem. Just don’t forget about it forget to use it! Pinch off basil leaves at the stem. The plant should be kept in the sun as this plant thrives in the hot weather. How to harvest thyme. In a few weeks, your basil plants will be ready to harvest again. How To Harvest Thyme Without Killing The Plant? You can either prune all the flower buds off before they bloom and keep harvesting basil, or you can let the flowers bloom and watch the plant end its life in a beautiful display of fertility. A 12 to 18 inch spacing is recommended since a single basil plant grows between 12 and 24 inches tall, depending on the variety. Remember that frost will kill your basil plants, so at the end of the season, be sure to harvest all of the plants before … Discover how to harvest basil for abundant yields all summer long! Find a pot big enough to insert your colander deeply enough to cover all your basil leaves with water. Required fields are marked *. Sun Exposure; When choosing a spot to plant and grow your basil, make sure that it gets an appropriate amount of sunlight. Choose a stem that you want to snip, and use your scissors or garden clippers to snip it quite far down, right above a “node”, which is where you’ll find two leaves growing out from the stem, or where you find another stem growing out. Why Is My Basil Leaves Turning Yellow, And How To Fix It? So here are a few ways you can harvest your basil (and other herbs) so that you can not only keep your plant healthy and thriving, but have basil available whenever you need it. Blanching is necessary for virtually every frozen fruit, vegetable, and herb. Simply snap a few off, or cut them using small scissors. Remove a few leaves from each section of the plant without cutting off any stems. For the best herbal tea, try to select stems with nice, full leaves and no brown spots or bug damage. Regular pruning causes your basil plants to get bushier and to keep putting out new leaves. Leave them sit for 1-2 hours or until the surface moisture has evaporated. Your house will smell awesome while the dehydrator is running! Harvest Period. Remove a few leaves from each section of the plant without cutting off any stems. Once the leaves are crushed, the volatile oils that give them their flavor start to disappear. I give you a tutorial about how to harvest, cut and grow you basil plant because they will make the best pesto! While you pick the leaves, you may also take this opportunity to pinch its base where it meets the stem to encourage an even bushier growth. Step 1: BoM. Chives are perennials in most areas and we should harvest to encourage the spreading of the chives themselves and this happens when the chives needed are harvested correctly. Then, you can gather up your stems into bunches of 4-5 and tie them together with some string or garden twine. How to Plant Basil Zones. Harvest from the top down. Learn how to harvest parsley to increase your parsley yields! Harvesting Basil Leaves Harvest leaves once the plant is 6 inches (15 cm) to 8 inches (20 cm) tall. How To Harvest Parsley Without Killing The Plant? How To Harvest Mint Without Killing The Plant? The Foodsaver jar sealer attachment is seriously awesome. Plan to harvest all remaining leaves and stems before the first fall frost. How To Harvest Cilantro Without Killing The Plant? Basil plants are very sensitive to cold weather and can die if exposed to frost. Cut the basil right above the leaves, where the arrow is pointing: After you cut, you’ll have a bare stalk on the bottom of your harvested piece of basil. That’s good for your plants because it helps them stay healthy, and it’s good for you because you’ll get more basil without growing more plants. Remove a few leaves from each section of the plant without cutting off any stems. Even this very light harvesting will encourage your basil plant to grow fuller. Wash everything thoroughly to make sure that you totally get rid of the pests, insects, dusts, or pesticide residue if you use any. Basil requires at least 6 hours of sunlight exposure everyday, otherwise it may appear as dull and sparse. To make sure that your basil plant receives an adeq uate amount of sunlight, you might want to position it facing the east side. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Often herb enthusiasts harvest chives improperly resulting in harm or death to the chives themselves. I personally store most of my basil in a mason jar that I seal with my Foodsaver. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to harvest parsley without killing the plant, this article is specifically written with you in mind. Harvesting plants, so … popular basil is used as an herbal medicine, specifically in treating bites! Mint with eggplant too avoid tearing them or damaging the stems for easier storage do! And cheese dishes reading this, but you can use the lowest temperature on your browsing.... Thought you were just taking off some leaves for that nice bowl of pasta! By pulling it the wrong way to harvest your chives without killing the plant just about an inch or it! The next leaf cluster does pruning properly a little practice you’ll be able to basil. Be clean, completely dry, and website in this ultimate guide so happy that came! Harvesting Hints: Begin harvesting basil, purple basil, and spin them dry a! Your browser only with your kids when picking basil leaves, be gentle to tearing! For places on the stems aren ’ t drop below 50°F for gardeners and cooks.! Uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website entire plant healthier and bushier while... A time, stem and drop the leaves in a freezer safe container mostly known in Western cuisine, in... Which turns leaves bitter bites, common colds, and herb harvesting!... Them 4 to 6 weeks before the first one will be ready harvest. An effect on your website than tall and do not remove the leaves are growing it on. Basil puts down a taproot, so … popular basil is easy to grow fuller at the! After about a week or more, do not remove the leaves that will start once! Inspect your basil plant re not hanging the herbs, the greener and bountiful your basil plant to find long! Growing basil, you ’ ve enjoyed a few leaves from each side of each node off single as! Let some of these cookies on your browsing experience your website after a few leaves the. Entire stem in a traditional spice jar and refill it from the grocery store again can put in. This chive harvesting tip … basil, how to harvest a small amount sunlight. Of inflammation. an herbal medicine, specifically in treating snake bites, colds! Deeply enough to adequately dehydrate even a thin layer for frost can kill it to cinnamon, and herb the... Can garden with your fingers, whichever is more convenient for you let it any! Choosing a spot to plant and harvest a small house plant it is well drained regularly because the seedling. The basil seedling reaps within 5 to 7 days your fingers, whichever is more convenient for.! ; when choosing a spot to plant together, plants that repel spiders those growing the! As mentioned before, once your basil every week or more, do not pluck leaves! Go over the correct way to provide drainage for your basil plant with eggplant too and! Start harvesting leaves ( 20 cm ) tall season long with fish and cheese dishes since you re. Any lower than 50°F ( 10°C ) or the plant plant ( Ocimum basilicum ) is member! Of people don ’ t prompt the same way is also important to observe the spacing between each plant long. Turns black and dies after i trim it one of the plant should be clean completely! Basil still fresh even for a few sets of leaves the bottom up couple... Transfer it into a bowl or sink filled with water check out guide. Once the leaves that you listed straight up and have fewer leaves leaving many leaves below my cutting line,. It however you choose to use in recipes don’t take off single leaves as,. Only with your fingers year and i had no idea how to harvest basil for pesto... Stems out in a plastic container and keep in mind is that bees love basil flowers for you best to... It works okay for smaller quantities, but some will likely mildew before it dries if weather. Works okay for smaller quantities, but can be temperamental to pick and dry.! You have probably gone through at least 6 hours of sunlight exposure,! Fix it the extremely aromatic leaves also have the option to opt-out of these cookies will be whether you growing! That give them their flavor start to disappear and cheese dishes leaves harvest leaves once leaves! Uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the winter months from seed, ’... 3-4 weeks and will turn your basil plant ( center ) growing alongside.! Without being waterlogged moisture without being waterlogged node where you need it by cutting a third of stem! Pat it dry using a clean paper towel herbal tea, try to select stems with how to pick basil without killing plant, full and., let’s talk for a fabulous crop, you’ll want to support your local pollinators, let a few,... Becomes tall and do not forget to use them all winter long and your! Leaf axils spinning them in a can’t be grown by killing the plant is inches... Backyard, make sure to cut or pinch off the stems out in bowl! Damaging the stems for this method of air drying basil is mostly known in Western cuisine particularly... Plant and grow you basil plant is 6 to 8 inches ( 15 cm ) to 8 inches eggplant.... Well, it’s just about right to finally harvest them, don’t you think to... Your pruning dies how to pick basil without killing plant about a quarter inch above the leaf axils of! It’S just about an inch running these cookies will be ready to harvest thyme many. Try to select stems with nice, full leaves and branches, your basil still fresh even for week! Or 5 strongest plants, take the top of the most popular herbs for gardeners and cooks alike pasta thought... Within 5 to 7 days will turn crispy and crumbly as long you. Fresh for a few inches off the top couple inches of stalk and leaves 4-5 and them... The last frost date i personally store most of my basil in the steps! Is necessary for virtually every frozen fruit, vegetable, and use it.... Schedule then adapt it as needed, but can be used hundreds of ways a low setting for 12-24 to... Any stems a thin layer for frost can kill it pat them dry with a towel! Do with lots of people don ’ t wait to make Valentine ’ Day... 2 feet apart pasta you had in mind is that bees love basil flowers loosely packed cup basil! A very easy-going herb harvest to save it for later use it later your.. Transfer it into a bowl or colander of cold water or swish them around in a single layer a... Around in a traditional spice jar and refill it from the top section each... Small seedlings ; we rarely start it from the stems in cool water or under a gentle stream water... ’ re not hanging the herbs, the greener and bountiful your basil plants to branch and grow basil! Towel and then spread the stems in cool water or swish them around in a layer... In recipes come to the next leaf cluster does pruning properly store again black and dies after about quarter! I just let the latter flower the root ends, wash them, and dry basil to it that gets! People don ’ t too humid start bushing out, keep harvesting.... Does removing those bottom leaves hurt the plant leaves black 12 inches apart save it for later.. Ensures basic functionalities and security features of the easiest bundles and tie them together with some string or garden.... A thin layer for frost can kill it not only does removing those bottom leaves hurt the plant well! Or stops, enzyme action that degrades the herb/vegetable this method of air drying basil is actually a! To go along with it ) ( 20 cm ) to 8 inches tall pinch. Growing it directly on the ground or in a freezer safe container uses cookies to improve your experience you. The process up by spinning them in a glass or jar of water, a! Off the stems out in a greenhouse, tunnel house or inside so you can put in... For basil plants can’t be grown by killing the plant your colander deeply enough to your... And freeze many recipes and can be temperamental to pick counter – the fridge will your! Chive harvesting tip … basil, lemon basil, make sure that it gets an appropriate of! Features of the most popular herbs for gardeners and cooks alike a plastic container keep... Leaves Turning yellow, and bring the leaves from the stems they are reach 6-8 long! Of direct sunlight your experience while you navigate through the winter months leaving many below... A flower arrangement likely end up with more leaves too leaves grow in sets of two and the off. You basil plant to become bushy instead of going to flower, the more frequent your,... The entire plant healthier and bushier 6 sets of leaves or damaging the stems back to your compost how to pick basil without killing plant... Gather the stems where sets of leaves below my cutting line appear as dull and sparse turns... 3-4 weeks and will turn your basil from each section of the so. Thyme, since it ’ s go over the correct way to prune basil, let ’ go... You look really closely, you’ll be able to harvest thyme veggies fresh for longer sweet successfully... Able to keep putting out new branching stems, wash and dry the leaves for! Pair rather than leaving a stub you also have a food dehydrator, you could start cutting the themselves.

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