Harvesting Basil the Right Way: How to Pick, Feed, Water and Seed Basil for a Summer Long Harvest!

The keys to basil are harvesting the plant the right way to reduce flowers and prolong leafy side growth. They need to be watered often, fed every 3 weeks and new seed should be planted every 2-3 weeks. Follow these steps and you'll have basil all summer long.

Metric Conversion
1 Inch = 2.54 Centimeters
1 Foot = 0.3048 Meters
1 Gallon (US) = 3.78541178 Liters
1 Fluid Ounce (US) = 29.5735 Milliliters
1 Tablespoon (US) = 14.7868 Milliliters
1 Teaspoon (US) = 4.9289 Milliliters

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[mikes]

Really like the use of multiple trimming examples to show us exactly what to look for.

[kimiyemlsmallgardendream]

Omg tomato, cucumber, basil salad is what I’m going to make tonight!🍅🥒🍃

[cadoo]

I've watched many many videos on how to prune and harvest basil, yours is the best by far with details that I can actually see!

[DeadeyeJoe]

I wanted to make a margharreta pizza, but didn't have any basil, so I bought some sweet basil from the farmers market. I used the big leaves and left the main stem and the baby leaves at the top and dropped the stem in water. In a couple of weeks, the stem rooted and I was able to plant it. I now have a big bushy basil plant. :)

[jessicakurtz]

I pruned my basil and put it in a cup of water until I was ready to use it. Then I forgot about and it grew roots. Accidental free plants are the best!

[ketokatt]

Wow! I have learned sooo much from you, Gary! Very grateful 💙
I love your countertop and backsplash

[joanies]

Made my first pesto from the garden today! Yum. OK... I had been ignoring the basil, except for pulling off the flowers. So there were small leaves, woody stems, etc. I decided to use what I picked, anyway... the pesto was awesome. I will plant more basil now and take better care of the two plants I have in the meantime.

[sandyb]

Thank you for showing me that Gary. You made it look very easy to do. I was always afraid to cut my basil because I wasn’t sure where to cut it. Now I know. I know I’ll have bushy and healthy basil all the time now.

[brandon]

Much much better demonstration and explanation than other videos. Thanks.

[violetraton]

This is what I need to watch now. I bought basil seeds yesterday and not sure how to plant.(just started gardening) thanks

[wandahill]

Happy to have the information, first time grower

[SecondFoundation]

These types of videos are why i subscribe - because I had no idea and I've been growing basil for years just trimming leaves off and nipping the flowering parts when I see them.

[malakabdelrazig]

Thanks for the good tips, I am eating my tomatoes and Dill and persly, hot peppers, Rosemary, I see the my Bell peppers are coming soon. Thank you for all your videos.

[vazz]

Great tips!!! You read my mind as I watered my basil this morning and thought about trimming my plant

[jackiehorsley]

gorgeous basil you got there I grow basil every summer I mainly grow It for the pollinators and I love the smell

[etamin]

Instead of planting new seeds at the end of July, can I instead propagate a basil cutting from my old plant, then plant that for fresher, younger better tasting basil? Thanks!

[trust.the.process]

Thanks for sharing basil is so delicious and it is also good for you.

[Arianelle-PLC]

Oh! Perfect timing! I had planted some thai basil and was wondering how to prune and take care of it, so thanks for this. As always, keep the amazing garden videos coming! :)

[GuitarsAndSynths]

excellent! My basil has doubled in size and I picked it and need to harvest some

[gpswatching]

Gary, could you show us an update on your cardboard composting, please. I would love to see how it is going for you.