amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

ThirtySomething · 07-09-2008, 07:07 PM

My basil has been in the ground about 4 weeks. It is large and some plants are getting ready to flower. Can I start hacking away at it any time?

Sandi · 07-09-2008, 07:08 PM

I keep the flowers trimmed/picked off once they form that thick shoot, kwim? You don't really want them to flower or it'll supposedly change the taste.

I have been harvesting/eating leaves regularly pretty much since they were in the ground

Mine get HUUUUUUGE in the summer - so if you need a couple/few leaves - go for it.

TraceyH · 07-09-2008, 07:35 PM

Yeah, go for it!! I would pick the flowers off as well. It seems that the plant would stop doing as much leaf production also as it sets its mind on the seed making!

Aidansmommy · 07-09-2008, 10:27 PM

Hack away! As the others have mentioned, pinch off the flowers before they really get started growing. You could have been taking leaves off before this. Basil takes quite a bit of abuse and just grows right back.

ThirtySomething · 07-14-2008, 11:13 AM

Thank you! I finally had a chance to cut it yesterday. I made pesto for freezing. What a difference in my garden basil vs. store basil.