Which basil leaves to pick first

To freeze the leaves, coarse-grind them in a food processor with a drizzle of olive oil. Then pack it into an ice cube tray. Remove the frozen basil cubes and store them in a plastic bag for up to six months. Dry basil either in a food dehydrator, or by simply hanging the washed stems.

Hang them in a place with good air circulation, out of direct sunlight. Wrap them in paper to keep them clean. Crush the dried basil and store it in a glass jar. There comes a time late in the season when flowering is imminent and leaf production simply stops. Let it happen. Collect the seeds from your best plants to plant next spring. Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest tips, tricks, recipes and more, sent twice a week.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time. Newsletter Shop Help Center. Pinch off the leaves, which helps keep the plants from flowering, but remember to avoid bruising or crushing them. Make sure to pick basil leaves before the first frost. When storing basil, freeze it to prevent flavor loss by placing the leaves in airtight, resealable plastic bags and putting them in the freezer.

You can also dry the herb, although it will lose some of its flavor. To do this, place the leaves in a well-ventilated, shady area for three to four days. If they are still a little moist, you can put them in the oven on the lowest heat setting with the door slightly ajar.

Turn them frequently so that they dry uniformly. By Michelle Nati Updated August 07, Related Articles. Peel the individual leaves off of the stem afterward. To harvest the entire plant at the end of the growing season, cut the stem where it meets the soil.

Then, pick the individual leaves off of the stem before discarding it. If flower buds appear on your plant at any point, trim them off with a pair of scissors before they bloom. Otherwise, your plant won't grow back after you trim its leaves.

For more advice from our Horticulturist reviewer, including how to remove full stems of basil for larger-scale harvesting, keep reading. Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great.

By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article methods. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Method 1. Harvest leaves once the plant is 6 inches 15 cm to 8 inches 20 cm tall. When you water your basil plant, measure it with a tape measure or ruler to see how much it has grown. When the tallest part of the plant reaches 6 inches 15 cm , you can start to harvest its leaves.

You should not let your plant exceed 8 inches 20 cm before trimming it. Pick off small amounts of leaves whenever you wish. Once your basil plant is grown, you should feel free to pick off leaves whenever you want a fresh garnish. 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. If you harvest the bottom leaves, the plant will grow lanky and thin, and it might not be as healthy or productive.

Pinch off basil leaves at the stem. When picking basil leaves, be gentle to avoid tearing them or damaging the stems they are attached to. Pinch basil leaves at their base, where they meet the stem. Gently pull away the entire leaf from the stem. Be very careful not to cut the stem while doing so.

Method 2. Trim the plant from the top down to remove stems. To remove full stems of basil, start from the top and work your way down. I have become a huge fan of pesto and this was my first year for growing basil. I am so happy that I came across your article on how to store and use this amazing plant.

I have moved my plants indoor and hope to use them all winter long and take them back outside next spring. Thank you again for the wonderful idea. I also have frozen basil in ice cube trays with olive oil instead of water, with a bit of chopped garlic……just add to soups, pasta or sauce…..

SOOOO yummy. I served it over a block of cream cheese, with raspberry jalapeno jam and stone wheat crackers!!! I boiled some up, in hopes of using the water to rinse my laundry but it was reddish-brown in color and I was afraid that it would dye my sheets that color! I made basil salt from the recipe that foodnetwork published a couple of years ago.

I made one batch and was so pleased, that I made lots and gave away at Christmas time. Just before serving fresh dried basil on top of you spaghetti sauce. The smell in the house is wonderful. My first year for growing herbs in my small yard. Love having them so close at hand. This year, I grew basil more than ever.