Planting Guide | How to Harvest and Preserve Basil Properly

Author: Mars Grow Release time: 2024-04-11 10:57:18 View number: 137

Basil, regardless of its species, is a common plant in indoor gardens. Its lush, scented leaves not only add a fresh taste to dishes, but are also packed with health benefits. If you're an indoor gardener looking to experiment with growing herbs, it's especially important to know how to harvest basil without damaging the plant, as this is the key to maximizing its flavor and prolonging its life cycle. Fortunately, this guide will take you through all the essentials from determining the best time to harvest to how to cut basil properly.

When is the best time to harvest basil? Simply put, when a basil plant reaches a height of 6 to 8 inches, it is usually ready for the first harvest. This height indicates that the plant has enough leaf mass to support its own growth, even if some leaves are removed. Specifically, when the plant has about 6 to 8 mature leaves and no flowers appear, you can start cutting off individual leaves. As for the best time to harvest, it is after the morning dew has evaporated and before the midday sun starts to be intense. Why? Because in the morning, basil leaves are at their highest in essential oils, which means you will pick the leaves when their flavor and aroma are at their strongest.

So how do you harvest basil properly? Basil is a fast-growing plant, which gives you the opportunity to harvest multiple times. Depending on the amount of basil you need, you can harvest it from the leaves or stems.

If you only need a few leaves: You can pinch off individual leaves where they meet the stem, focusing on the top of the plant to stimulate more leaf production. When cutting leaves, you should cut from the top leaf to the bottom leaf, as harvesting basil from the bottom may cause the plant to appear lanky and cluttered. For large harvests: Trim the entire stem from the top down. If the stem is thicker, using your fingers or a pair of small scissors, cut off the stem at one node, and about 1/4 inch where the leaves fork out of the main stem. To ensure continued growth of the plant, do not remove more than a third of the height of the plant at a time. Harvest evenly around the plant to promote further branching.

It is worth noting that by mid-summer, basil plants usually start producing flowers at the top of the branches. It is recommended that you remove these flowers as soon as you spot them to encourage the plants to focus on leaf production rather than seed production. In addition, many chefs believe that if the flowers are allowed to continue growing, the taste of basil may become bitter and the taste will change.

After collecting fresh basil leaves, we also need to know how to preserve it properly. Fresh basil leaves should not be stored in the refrigerator - the leaves will turn brown and rot quickly. Instead, you can preserve them and enjoy their vivid flavor by doing the following. Here are some effective ways to keep basil fresh:

Store basil with water: Treat basil like a bunch of flowers. Trim the stems, then place the basil in a glass of water and cover the leaves with a plastic bag at room temperature. This method will keep the basil fresh for up to 5 days.

Frozen Basil Leaves: After collecting the basil, wash it thoroughly, then gently pat dry with a towel or let it dry naturally. Spread out the washed and dried basil - leaves and stems - on a baking tray into one layer. Then place the tray in the freezer. Next, leave in the freezer for about an hour until the basil is completely frozen.

Once the basil has frozen, transfer the leaves and stems to a label-sealed container. Before sealing, make sure to squeeze as much air out of the container as possible to minimize freezing scorch and oxidation. Sealed basil containers can be stored in the freezer for one to two months.

Dry Basil: Bundle the basil stems and hang them upside down in a warm, ventilated place out of direct sunlight. Once dry, crush the leaves and store them in an airtight container. Alternatively, you can place the basil leaves on baking paper and dry them in the oven.

In summary, it is essential to harvest basil regularly, ideally every one to two weeks, to ensure a continuous and abundant supply of basil. This practice not only prevents the plant from blooming prematurely, but also encourages it to produce more leaves. By following the above two ways of harvesting basil, you can maintain the health of the plant, allowing photosynthesis to take place and ensuring a steady yield of basil.

Although basil is a common vanilla, to make the most of it, we need to understand how to harvest basil properly without damaging the plant, when is the best time to harvest, and how to properly preserve fresh basil. Hopefully, this comprehensive guide will help you better understand and master this knowledge, allowing you to enjoy your journey of growing basil to the fullest.