How to care for basil
Growing basil is easy. Very easy. And nothing is more satisfying than pulling a few fresh leaves off your basil plant to put in your meal.
Basil is a cornerstone in every cook's herb cabinet. One of the most popular and well-known herbs, it is used in many dishes, especially Italian and Indian dishes. Being such a common and useful ingredient, many people consider growing basil themselves. If you’re considering this option and want to know the basics of how to care for basil, this guide will help you. Read on to learn about how to care for basil.
Growing
Remember that basil grows best in sunshine. Because of this, place your basil where it gets full sunlight. April is the best time to plant basil seeds, but make sure that the plant your basil after the last frost of the season. After planting the basil, within two weeks, seedlings will begin to show.
By the time summer comes around, you’ll have a plethora of basil! Water your basil close to the ground, as the leaves and stem do not agree with water. Whenever your basil plants begin to produce flowers cut those out as soon as you notice them. This will allow more leaves to grow. Basil is almost always pest-free, so you won’t have to worry very much in that aspect.
Harvesting
When harvesting basil, it is always best to start at the top. Cut or pinch the leaves off as you need to. Because basil is best when it is fresh, it is good to keep the plants healthy. So that you don’t loose a good crop, harvesting the basil before the temperatures get below 40 degrees F is a good idea.
Another thing to consider is to dry the leaves. Simply tie some of the stems together and hang them upside down. A dry, warm place is the best place to keep them until they dry completely.
Storage
Crumbling dried basil and putting it in an air tight container or a plastic bag is one way of storing basil. This will retain most of the flavor. If you are storing basil this way, be sure to put it in the freezer, as it is best preserved that way. You can also freeze whole sprigs of basil if you pack them tightly in an airlock plastic bag. Keep as much air out of the bag as possible! Another option is stacking whole leaves in a jar, putting a light layer of salt and olive oil on the basil and sealing the jar. You can take as much basil as you need and continue to store it in the refrigerator. This may keep the basil good for six months. Checking on your stored basil every once in a while is a good tip to keep your basil from going bad. If you notice that the basil is starting to loose its freshness, considering using that basil first so not to waste.
Like with all plants basil needs special care to grow, attention to harvest, and detail when storing for later use. Once you learn how to care for basil, it is simple and easy. After reading this simple guide, you now know the basics and can start using your fresh or stored basil in your cooking!
