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Sunday, February 9, 2014

How to Grow Basil from Cuttings



Fresh basil growing in the kitchen is such a simple luxury!  I love grabbing a handful to add a pop of flavor to whatever is on the stove. 

After a season of giving its flavorful leaves for bruschetta and sauces, a basil plant thins out and prepares itself to make seeds.  This would normally signal the end of the basil's viability - and the perfect time to take cuttings.


Growing cuttings from your basil plant starts a new plant and extends the season for delicious fresh basil in the kitchen.  

To make a cutting, simply:
  1) Trim the top of a basil stem - about 3 or 4 inches long.  
  2) Remove the bottom rows of leaves (these can be dried), leaving just the top crown of leaves.  
  3) Place cuttings in a jar of water on a window sill.  Replace water every week or so, before it becomes cloudy.

After a few weeks, you'll have beautiful new basil plants growing!





15 comments:

  1. Oh wow! Thanks! I've been working on my herb garden and while my sage & thyme have done very well, I've struggled with basil!

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    1. Great! Are you trimming the top leaves off your basil? It helps to make it grow bushy and full - and try to pick off flowers before they start, it will help keep the basil growing vigorously. Good luck, there's nothing better than (very!) fresh herbs to cook with :)

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  2. wow you learn something new everyday! I am going to give this a try!

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  3. great tip, I might try this at the end of the season, so I can bring my garden basil inside.

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  4. This is great. I had a basil plant and its fate was not joyful. Your tips give me hope that I'll treat my next basil plant better. :)

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  5. I've never grown basil, I didn't realize you could start it from cuttings. It sounds easy enough.

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  6. My dad grows a ton of herbs in his garden. I know I would love to.

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  7. That is great to know. I have never grown basil, but I was thinking of starting.

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  8. I didn't know you could do that! Thats so neat - it just keeps multiplying! Thanks!

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  9. I have sweet basil growing. Will this work for that too?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it should work for sweet basil. Good luck, I'd love to hear how it goes for you!

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  10. I have been wanting to grow my own herbs. thanks for the helpful tips about starting and growing basil. :)

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  11. Thank you for the tips! I really appreciate it. When I lived in Ohio, I could grow anything. Now I live in Florida where the growing season never ends and my green thumb has turned BLACK for some reason. I'll keep trying though. I'll have to get it eventually right?

    Grammy Jennie

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