Are you a big fan of growing herbs? Do you want to learn some amazing Basil Harvesting Tricks No One Ever Told You? Read on!
While growing herbs, especially basil, it is important that you snip away the leaves in the right manner to ensure they stay healthy and grow better. Want help? Here are some really helpful Basil Harvesting Tricks you should know!
Here are the best types of basil you can grow
Best Basil Harvesting Tricks
1. Pinch its Flowers
Before you move ahead and harvest the leaves, it is important to stop the plant from growing more flowers, as it will then divert its energy into making more blooms and leaves.
Pinch the flower buds as you see them—it will promote the plant to produce more leaves. One interesting thing to note here is after flowering the leaves become slightly bitter and less flavorful.
2. Pinch the Tips
While harvesting the herb, do not forget to pinch the tips of its stems. This will encourage the plant to create two new branches, which ultimately grow new sets of leaves.
All this will make the plant grow fuller and bushier, which means more leaves!
3. Don’t Harvest More than 30% of the Plant and Do it in the Morning
Do not harvest the entire plant as you will end up killing it. It is better that you take away 20-30% of the total leaves at a time. If you consume more, it would be great to grow 3-4 plants for a better harvest! And yes, harvest in the morning time when essential oil content is higher!
4. Always Use Scissors
People have a habit of pulling the leaves off the plant, which damages the stems. It is always better to use scissors to make a clean cut. This will help you keep the plant safe and prevent damage to delicate stems, too.
5. Do Not Harvest the Lower Big Leaves
While harvesting the plant, leave the big leaves at the bottom intact as they help the plant to absorb more sunlight. They are also responsible for the plant’s nutrient supply.
Always harvest the top leaves and leave the bottom ones, as snipping them will hurt and stunt the plant’s growth.
Another hack is to harvest medium-sized leaves for cooking, if you want sweet flavor!
6. Do Not Harvest a Young Plant
It is always a good idea to let the plant grow up to 6-8 inches tall and at least 4-5 inches wide before you start to harvest. Harvesting a young plant may kill it.
7. Do Not Harvest Too Often
It is best to only harvest in smaller quantities from each basil plant at a regular interval of 2-4 weeks. This will give the plant enough time to regain strength.
Check out our article on how to make Basil bushier and lush here
8. Always Cut Stems to the Last Set of Leaves
If you are cutting the stem of the basil plant, then make sure you snip off just above the last set of leaves. It will force the plant to keep branching out, making it grow more leaves and turn bushy.
9. Avoid Harvesting it in Cold Weather
If you are growing the plant outdoors, avoid harvesting it in the cold season. Doing so will expose the freshly cut stems to harsh weather, which will damage both the growth and the plant.
