Read on to learn when to harvest basil and the proper way to do so.
First, startpruning leavesonce your plant reaches 6 to 8 inches tall.
If your plant has put out at least four sets of leaves, it’s safe to start harvesting.
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Forplump, happy leaves, harvest early in the morning.
For the best flavor, harvest before the plant flowers.
Harvest as much as possible because this encourages your plant to produce new leaves rapidly.
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it’s possible for you to harvest even more leaves than you need and dry or freeze them.
This way you are helping your plant make new leaves and stay full and vibrant.
Harvest leaves if you need a small amount for a recipe.
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Harvest entire stems for larger amounts of basil for specific recipes, such as pesto.
Opt for the stem-trimming method when you harvest more.
Avoid refrigerating extra basil, as the cold turns it brown.
Fresh basil is commonly used in numerous Italian dishes, from caprese salad to pasta sauces.
It is also the main ingredient in pesto.
