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  • From: Allan Balliett <aballiett AT frontiernet.net>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [Market-farming] Pinching Back Basil
  • Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2007 07:59:22 -0400

Can someone remind me what the best node for pinching back sweet basil starts is? Thanks -Allan

Begin pinching off or trimming off the growing tip(s) of the branches when the plants are 4 to 6 inches tall. Repeat this several times until the plants are as bushy as desired. When the plants become quite dense, you can simply trim or shear them regularly and use the shearings in cooking. Or you can cut off a larger proportion of the plant for harvest, especially if you plan to dry or freeze a quantity of basil all at one time. These more drastic harvests can be done just a few times a season as they are stressful on the plants and eventually the plants just "wear out". In either case, the trimming prevents the plant from flowering and it regrows in order to try to flower.




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