Basil

Growing

Treat basil as a tender, heat-loving annual and establish it only once the soil has warmed and frost has passed. Pinch regularly to increase the harvest. Clipping the tips of the stems converts existing leaf pairs into new stems, which gives a bushier habit. Pinch off developing flower stems before they mature. Once the plant blooms, the stems can become woody and essential oil production, which gives the aroma, declines.

Watch the foliage for downy mildew or black spot, which mar the leaves. If stems become woody or flower, prune them back to encourage fresh, tender growth. You can start plants from seed, but cuttings from healthy, non-woody stem segments give an earlier harvest and higher yields. Take a small shoot with a few leaves and place it in moist soil to develop roots.

When the leaves are ready, harvest them immediately for flavor, as the plant does not improve in quality after picking. To preserve the harvest, freeze the leaves or dry them. Wash the leaves before storing or using them.