Q&A for How to Harvest Basil

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What is the best way to pick basil?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

It is best to just pick a few leaves off of each plant. Simply pinch them off at the stem.

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Question

How do you harvest basil without killing the plant?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

Don't pick all the leaves off one plant or cut off the entire stem. Instead, pinch off the small tips to help the plant fill out.

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Question

How do you cut fresh basil?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

To cut fresh basil, use a sharp knife and cut the leaves as fine as you need to.

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Question

How do you know when to harvest basil?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

You can harvest basil at any time throughout the season. Keep in mind that it is better to harvest early in the morning.

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Question

When is the best time to harvest basil?

Artemisia Nursery
Plant Nursery & Garden Shop
Artemisia Nursery is a retail plant nursery in Northeast Los Angeles specializing in California native plants. Artemisia Nursery is a worker-owned small business with plans to become a worker-owned cooperative. In addition to California native plants, Artemisia Nursery offers a selection of succulents, heirloom veggie and herb starts, house plants, pottery, and gardening tools and supplies. Drawing on the knowledge of the founders, Artemisia Nursery also offers consultations, designs, and installations.

Artemisia Nursery

Plant Nursery & Garden Shop

Expert Answer

Harvest your basil when the plant starts to flower. Just follow the stem back to where there are two leaves emerging from a node and cut just above that. That will encourage your plant to grow bushier and fuller.

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Question

How do I harvest basil seeds?

Ursula Kiener Ford

Community Answer

Basil seeds (which are very tiny!) are found in the flower head. Cut off the flower once it is brown and let them dry in a warm and dry location. You can put the dried flowers in a paper bag and shake it, then crush it or simply crush them over a colander. Pick out the old petals and any chaff (protective casings of seeds) and keep your seeds until you are ready to plant.

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