How to get the Most Out of Your Basil Plant

One of last year's shares!

The CSA season is finally getting started.  Mother Nature has a way of changing things for us.  We will all see this from time to time in our shares.  The list that Brad publishes will often change by the time we actually pick up the share.  But the joy of the season for me is using all the ingredients in ways I have never done before.

The first pickup should be giving us a basil plant.  They are grown at Bishops and are always well worth any effort you put into keeping it alive.  You will receive up to five plants in your pot of basil.  I recommend that you transplant them to allow the plants more room to grow bigger.  You can put it directly into the garden or into a large pot.

To plant the basil in the garden, dig holes spaced at least 6 inches (15.2 cm) apart. Place the roots in the holes and place soil around the stems. Pat down soil around the plants to eliminate air pockets.

If you want to plant the basil in a container, make sure it's large enough to accommodate the number of plants you're growing; they need to be planted 6 inches (15.2 cm) apart, since they grow quite large.  Use a good quality potting soil.

Keep the soil damp, but not soaked. Basil does best in well-drained soil, and should not be subjected to standing water. Water the mature basil plants once a day, in the morning, so the water has time to soak in and evaporate rather than sitting on the plants overnight.

My basil plant one summer!

As the plant matures, pinch off the top two pairs of leaves once a stalk reaches a reasonable height. If you look closely, at the base of every leaf are two tiny little leaves that will grow outwards if the stem growing between them is cut off. Cut close to those tiny leaves, but be sure not to damage them.
Pinching encourages the plant's energy to be directed into its stronger stems and leaves. This helps the plants grow bushy and not become leggy.

Don't pinch on the lower part of the stem, or the basil plants will grow tall and reedy. You want them to get bushy, so pinch from the top.  ALWAYS PINCH OFF THE FLOWER HEADS IF THEY FORM.

Look after your basil and yours too could look like mine!  I look forward to seeing you all at the first pickup.

Laura