Difference between revisions of "Grow Basil"
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| − | + | Basil is easy to grow, and transforms ordinary meals into culinary treasures! Fresh basil not only tastes better than dried, it actually tastes ''different'', almost as if it were not the same herb. This article outlines how to plant and harvest basil. | |
[[Category:Growing Herbs and Spices]] | [[Category:Growing Herbs and Spices]] | ||
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
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#Remove the plastic wrap when the sprouts emerge. When you see the first green tendrils push up through the soil, it's time to remove the plastic wrap. Keep watering the sprouts twice daily, never letting the soil dry out. When the plants become a few inches tall and their leaves mature, it's time to transplant them to a larger container. | #Remove the plastic wrap when the sprouts emerge. When you see the first green tendrils push up through the soil, it's time to remove the plastic wrap. Keep watering the sprouts twice daily, never letting the soil dry out. When the plants become a few inches tall and their leaves mature, it's time to transplant them to a larger container. | ||
=== Caring for Basil === | === Caring for Basil === | ||
| − | #[[Transplant Herb Seedlings | Transplant]] the basil plants. Once two sets of leaves have formed, basil can be planted into the garden or permanent containers. Basil does not tolerate [[Protect Large Plants from Frost|frost]] so don't plant too early. It's best to put basil somewhere where it will get a good deal of sunshine and have well-drained soil.<ref>http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/basil-growing-guide</ref> | + | #[[Transplant Herb Seedlings | Transplant]] the basil plants. Once two sets of leaves have formed, basil can be planted into the garden or permanent containers. Basil does not tolerate [[Protect Large Plants from Frost|frost]] so don't plant too early. It's best to put basil somewhere where it will get a good deal of sunshine and have well-drained soil.<ref name="rf1">http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/basil-growing-guide</ref> |
#*To plant the basil in the garden, dig holes spaced at least {{convert|1|ft|m|1}} apart. Place the roots in the holes and place soil around the stems. Pat down soil around the plants to eliminate air pockets. | #*To plant the basil in the garden, dig holes spaced at least {{convert|1|ft|m|1}} apart. Place the roots in the holes and place soil around the stems. Pat down soil around the plants to eliminate air pockets. | ||
#*If you want to plant the basil in a container, make sure it's large enough to accommodate the number of plants you're growing; they need to be planted {{convert|1|ft|m|1}} apart, since they grow quite large. | #*If you want to plant the basil in a container, make sure it's large enough to accommodate the number of plants you're growing; they need to be planted {{convert|1|ft|m|1}} apart, since they grow quite large. | ||
#Keep the soil damp, but not soaked. Basil does best in well-drained soil, and should not be subjected to standing water. Water the mature basil plants once a day, in the morning, so the water has time to soak in and evaporate rather than sitting on the plants overnight. | #Keep the soil damp, but not soaked. Basil does best in well-drained soil, and should not be subjected to standing water. Water the mature basil plants once a day, in the morning, so the water has time to soak in and evaporate rather than sitting on the plants overnight. | ||
#Pinch off flower heads. When you see flower buds, pinch them and two pairs of leaves under them off. Flowers blooming create a hormone change which dramatically reduces the flavor of the leaves, as well as reducing the amount of foliage which grows. This is called "bolting" and is more likely to happen when there's extra sunshine. You'll notice that if you leave the flowers, the plant will become lanky and the leaves won't be as full or tasty. | #Pinch off flower heads. When you see flower buds, pinch them and two pairs of leaves under them off. Flowers blooming create a hormone change which dramatically reduces the flavor of the leaves, as well as reducing the amount of foliage which grows. This is called "bolting" and is more likely to happen when there's extra sunshine. You'll notice that if you leave the flowers, the plant will become lanky and the leaves won't be as full or tasty. | ||
| − | #Watch for pests and mold. Basil plants are attractive to Japanese beetles; the best way to control these pests is to pick them off the plants by hand.<ref | + | #Watch for pests and mold. Basil plants are attractive to Japanese beetles; the best way to control these pests is to pick them off the plants by hand.<ref name="rf1" /> If your plants show signs of mold growth, they may not be getting adequate sunlight, or they may be too close together. Weed out the smaller plants to give the larger ones more space. |
=== Harvesting and Using Basil === | === Harvesting and Using Basil === | ||
| − | #Harvest and prune.<ref>http://offbeathome.com/2012/08/how-to-grow-basil</ref> As the plant matures, pinch off the top two pairs of leaves once a stalk reaches a reasonable height. If you look closely, at the base of every leaf are two tiny little leaves that will grow outwards if the stem growing between them is cut off. Cut close to those tiny leaves, but be sure not to damage them. | + | #Harvest and prune.<ref name="rf2">http://offbeathome.com/2012/08/how-to-grow-basil</ref> As the plant matures, pinch off the top two pairs of leaves once a stalk reaches a reasonable height. If you look closely, at the base of every leaf are two tiny little leaves that will grow outwards if the stem growing between them is cut off. Cut close to those tiny leaves, but be sure not to damage them. |
| − | #*Pinching encourages the plant's energy to be directed into its stronger stems and leaves. This helps the plants grow bushy.<ref | + | #*Pinching encourages the plant's energy to be directed into its stronger stems and leaves. This helps the plants grow bushy.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*Don't pinch on the lower part of the stem, or the basil plants will grow tall and reedy. You want them to get bushy, so pinch from the top. | #*Don't pinch on the lower part of the stem, or the basil plants will grow tall and reedy. You want them to get bushy, so pinch from the top. | ||
#Enjoy the basil fresh. Rinse off the leaves and use the basil to [[Make Pesto | make pesto]] or a [[Make Caprese Salad | Caprese salad]] with tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese. | #Enjoy the basil fresh. Rinse off the leaves and use the basil to [[Make Pesto | make pesto]] or a [[Make Caprese Salad | Caprese salad]] with tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese. | ||
#Store the basil in the refrigerator. You'll probably have more basil than you could possibly eat fresh, so plan on storing some in the fridge. Wash the leaves, dry them well, and wrap them in paper towels. Place them in a food storage container with an airtight lid. | #Store the basil in the refrigerator. You'll probably have more basil than you could possibly eat fresh, so plan on storing some in the fridge. Wash the leaves, dry them well, and wrap them in paper towels. Place them in a food storage container with an airtight lid. | ||
| − | #Freeze the basil. Freezing the leaves whole doesn't work very well, but if you puree it first or [[Make-Pesto|turn it into pesto]] before freezing, then you can store you basil in the freezer for months. Place the basil in a blender with a little water, lemon juice, and/or olive oil. Puree it until smooth, then put it in a food storage bag and freeze until you need it.<ref | + | #Freeze the basil. Freezing the leaves whole doesn't work very well, but if you puree it first or [[Make-Pesto|turn it into pesto]] before freezing, then you can store you basil in the freezer for months. Place the basil in a blender with a little water, lemon juice, and/or olive oil. Puree it until smooth, then put it in a food storage bag and freeze until you need it.<ref name="rf1" /> |
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
