Generally, a good way to harvest basil is to count 2-3 leaf nodes, and then pinch. Eat the pinched part, let the remaining part grow out. It will usually make two branches. In a few weeks, harvest those two branches in the same way. They will each make two (so now you’ll have 4)
At some point, even one bush will give you a lot of harvested leaves.
But if it turns out you really like basil and want to eat it more often, you can grow out two or three bushes.
Of course, this is only if you really want to do it that way . Otherwise you can harvest it in other ways, such as selectively pinching off leaves and tender stem sections.
Least-Low4230
Yes , you can cut it down to the first fork! In fact, basil loves being pruned that way. It will encourage new growth from the nodes and help it become bushier.
Just make sure to:
Cut right above a pair of healthy leaves
Give it good light and consistent watering afterward
It looks a bit leggy now, so a strong prune should really help it bounce back.
2 Comments
Generally, a good way to harvest basil is to count 2-3 leaf nodes, and then pinch. Eat the pinched part, let the remaining part grow out. It will usually make two branches. In a few weeks, harvest those two branches in the same way. They will each make two (so now you’ll have 4)
At some point, even one bush will give you a lot of harvested leaves.
But if it turns out you really like basil and want to eat it more often, you can grow out two or three bushes.
Of course, this is only if you really want to do it that way . Otherwise you can harvest it in other ways, such as selectively pinching off leaves and tender stem sections.
Yes , you can cut it down to the first fork! In fact, basil loves being pruned that way. It will encourage new growth from the nodes and help it become bushier.
Just make sure to:
Cut right above a pair of healthy leaves
Give it good light and consistent watering afterward
It looks a bit leggy now, so a strong prune should really help it bounce back.