Bush Basil Care Tips On Growing Bush Basil Plants In The Garden

Bush basil prefers rich soil, so find a good quality potting soil, or use a fertilizer to enrich your soil. Choose a full-sun location that drains well, water your plant regularly, and it should grow well. As it grows, harvest leaves as needed. Pinching it back will actually help it grow more.

How do you care for outdoor Basil?

Basil needs ample water. Mulch your basil plants to retain moisture after the soil has warmed. Pinch plants frequently to encourage bushy growth, and pick off flower heads regularly so plants put their energy into foliage production.

How do you trim a basil bush?

Use the trimmings in the kitchen, combining a regular pruning with harvesting of the flavorful herb.

Pinch off the tips of each stem every two to three weeks, beginning when the plants are approximately 8 inches tall. ...
Cut or pinch off individual leaves from the sides of the plant to maintain the shape of the small bush.

How can I make my basil grow better?

Here are some tips will help you finally grow the big, bushy basil plants you've always dreamed of!

Keep Them Warm. ...
Ensure Proper Drainage. ...
Keep Soil Moist. ...
Water the Soil Not The Leaves. ...
Let The Sun Shine In. ...
Fertilize Properly. ...
Harvest Early and Often. ...
Prune Like A Pro.

Should you cut back Basil?

Prune regularly for the best flavor. About every four weeks, prune basil back to just above the bottom two sets of leaves. If the plant is allowed to flower, it will lose flavor.

Is it better to grow basil inside or outside?

Basil brings the flavor in food to life. ... Fresh basil is a go-to herb in the kitchen, for professional chefs and foodies, and its surprisingly easy to grow it yourself. Basil grows well in most climates, and it's suitable for growing inside the home and outside in the garden.

How long does a basil plant live?

Basil may survive for two years before replanting in warm climates. An indoor basil plant with full sun and steady warm temperatures may last longer as well. Basil plants are sensitive to cold weather and frost.

How do you cut basil without killing the plant?

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. You can also cut leaves with a small pair of scissors.

How do you prune an overgrown basil plant?

Gently hold a flower spike in one hand and run your other hand down the stalk to the next leaf cluster a few inches below the flower spike. Pinch the flower end off the basil stalk just above the leaf cluster. If the stalk is too thick to pinch, use garden shears or scissors to cut it.

How do you trim basil without killing it?

Do not cut in a straight line.

Also, make sure that your cut is above the fifth basil leaf set. Don't cut right at the same height or level as these leaves. There has to be enough leaves left on the plant so it can continue to produce branches and leaves that you can then harvest later on.

Are used coffee grounds good for basil plants?

Coffee grounds do have a place in the growth of basil. You just have to be careful when you use it. We know that basil likes soil that is neutral to slightly acidic. ... It's best to use compost that has coffee grounds in it rather than incorporate them directly into the soil.

What's eating my basil and how do I stop it?

Mix a few tablespoons of liquid dish soap into a gallon of water. Spraying this on the basil leaves gets rid of aphids quickly. After a half hour or so, rinse the soap (and dead aphids) from the plant. Alternatively, use insecticidal soap or buy ladybugs to devour the aphids.

What can you spray on basil to keep bugs away?

Spray basil plants thoroughly with insecticidal soap, neem oil or azadirachtin-containing insecticide once a week in the early evening until the Japanese beetles are gone. Concentrate the spray wherever the largest concentration of beetles is located.

What do I do if my basil is too tall?

It is customary to prune basil above a stem or leaf junction, but when basil becomes tall and the stem becomes woody, you have no real option. Cut your basil to the desired height, and I would expect the plant should sprout new growth, either along the stalk or from the root.

How do you keep basil from getting woody?

Mulch around the plants with grass clippings, straw, compost or ground leaves to help retain moisture and retard weeds. Water the basil every seven to 10 days, depending upon rainfall. If the plants are in containers, they may need additional water.

Will Basil regrow after cutting?

from the base of the plant. Leave a few inches of leaves on the plant after pruning. You can be quite aggressive when pruning basil plants since, as already mentioned, they are rapid growers. Even after a major cutting back, the herb will be ready for pruning again in a few weeks.

How do you keep basil alive all year?

Once the herb has dried, remove the leaves from the stems and store the leaves either whole or ground in an airtight container away from heat and bright light. Stored in this manner, dried basil will keep for one year.

How do you keep potted basil alive?

You can definitely keep a healthy basil plant indoors, but you'll want to make sure it gets at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. A kitchen windowsill is often your best bet.

Does basil grow all year?

In a warm climate you can grow basil all year round, in any type of soil. It may not grow equally well in all soils, but it should grow.

Should I stop my basil from flowering?

If you are cultivating basil strictly for its leaves, it is best to remove the flowers. ... Pinch off the flower buds as soon as they emerge. Basil will usually need to be pruned every two to three weeks and it's okay to go at it. The plant can tolerate a severe pruning which will, in fact, promote growth.

Can I plant basil in the ground?

It thrives in well-drained soil, positioned in a sunny window. In a larger garden, plant basil among your tomatoes. ... Basil is super sensitive to the cold, so whether you are transplanting seedlings from indoors or have plants in the ground, watch the early spring temperatures and cover if necessary.

What do you do with basil in the winter?

Wash the leaves and dry them with a paper towel. Then gather them in bunches and wrap the stems with a twist tie. Hang them upside down for a week or two and then break the leaves off the stems into an airtight container and you will have dried basil for the winter. Basil lasts this way for about a year.