How to propagate basil?
If you want to know how basil is grown, then keep these things in mind:
The soil
Basil cannot grow properly unless the soil is well-drained and has a neutral pH. You can add some organic compost when planting. However, try not to add too much compost or other organic material, as this will affect the flavor of your basil. Actually, it may even lose its aroma completely.
The sun
If you want to grow basil at its peak, then make sure that you provide it with enough sunlight. Basil needs at least 6 hours of direct sun daily, but avoid exposing them during midday as this can lead to too much exposure and burn their leaves resulting in less production for future harvests or even death!
The water
Basil needs to stay moist, but not overly so. Make sure you water the base of your plant and not its leaves for best results!
The space
Basil plants grow to heights of 12-24 inches, which means that you should space them at least 16 inches apart in pots or garden beds. Among the varieties of Basil, Globe is best cultivated for small spaces like containers, so this makes it perfect for growing it indoors in pots.
The neighbor plants
Basil is often grown with other plants, and you can even grow tomatoes alongside it. Always make sure that your tomato plant has the same requirements as basil: water and light!
How to harvest your basil plant?
There are many ways to harvest basil, but it’s best when done before the plant has grown big and you feel that there are lots of leaves that can be harvested. Here are some tips for harvesting your basil:
Harvesting basil should be done when the plants have grown 10 cm tall and you can see a mound of fresh green leaves all over them. This will ensure that your plant has enough time to fully mature, giving off more flavor than if harvested earlier in its growth cycle!
There are a number of ways you can take care to keep your basil plants healthy, but one way is by pinching or cutting the leaves. By doing this, you will stimulate new growth and prevent your basil plant from becoming leggier.
If you’re looking to get the most out of your basil plant, harvest it before flowers start emerging. However, if you are already too late and you can see some flowers, simply snip them off and use them in cooking as they are edible.
How to preserve basil?
Basil is a ‘on the go’ herb that can be grown easily during summer months, but becomes difficult to care for when winter comes. The plant requires sunlight and does not get enough of it due to the cold season. Therefore, it is a bit harder to preserve basil in winter.
Basil is a great addition to any meal. You can enjoy it in fresh or dried form, so when you want basil for later use make sure that the leaves are preserved by drying them after harvesting and tying together with stems. Wait for them to dry out and you can consume later on.
Dried basil leaves can be stored indefinitely if they are kept dry and airtight. To preserve them for a long time, crumble or powder the stems along with leaves before storing in a container outside of either fridge or freezer.
