Professional pruning of basil serves both harvest and care. Stop wondering when, how much and how. We have put together for you here what you should pay attention to when cutting back royal herb.
How do I cut basil correctly?
To prune basil correctly, trim the shoot tips to at least 5 cm in length, cut off 1-2 mm above a pair of leaves and never pluck individual leaves. In winter, cut more cautiously and only harvest whole shoots.
Cut boldly – instead of plucking timidly
Basil naturally scores with its remarkable vigor. Knowledgeable hobby gardeners take advantage of this attribute to promote a bushy habit through targeted pruning during the harvest. Hesitant plucking of individual leaves has a counterproductive effect because bare shoots die and weaken the entire royal herb. When cutting off shoots for harvesting, proceed as follows:
- basically prune shoot tips to a minimum length of 5 centimeters
- don't break off a basil sprig, cut it off with scissors or a knife
- Make the cut 1-2 millimeters above a pair of leaves to initiate branching
- cut back a complete shoot so that at least one pair of eyes remains
- Always use freshly sharpened tools that have been disinfected with alcohol
If you cut a royal herb correctly using this procedure, there is nothing wrong with picking individual leaves as you pass by as a he althy herbal snack. In this case, pick a dark green leaf because the aroma content is particularly high here.
Cut off the flowers in time for a long herbal enjoyment
Experienced hobby gardeners don't just use scissors when they need to harvest basil. Targeted pruning also serves as careful care so that the herb plant remains vital and he althy for a long time. Once kingweed flowers, the plant stops growing and the leaves take on a bitter taste. How to prevent premature death through targeted pruning:
- from June to September, regularly cut back the shoot tips by 5 centimeters
- consistently cut off all branches on which buds are forming
If cuttings are not immediately used in the kitchen, they are ideal for drying or pickling. You can also preserve any surplus harvest by freezing it in portions in ice cube trays.
Cut basil properly in winter – this is how it works
If you cultivate a perennial variety of basil or overwinter the plant indoors, the cutting is reduced to the harvest. From October onwards, the herb plant no longer strives to produce flowers, but instead reduces growth to a minimum. In the cold season, more conservative pruning is recommended. Nevertheless, the motto also applies in winter that prudent hobby gardeners always cut off entire shoots.
Tips & Tricks
Did you know? Basil flowers are edible. Just allow your royal herb to bloom once and enjoy the enchanting floral blooms for many weeks. If you cut off the flowers, they serve as a delicious decoration for salads and warm dishes. If the taste is too bitter for you, simply soak the flowers in vinegar.
