![]() Have an abundance, process for long-term storage as described. Go out and harvest what we need, fresh, or if it is a period where we Will last a week or two using this method but we generally either just The growing season, you can take your clippings, wrap the cut ends in aĭamp paper towel and store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Then throughout the year we can thaw and enjoy "fresh" basil inĭishes, drop a cube into sauce or soups, or make into pesto. Once solid, she removes them andĮither stores them in freezer bags or for longer term, in vacuum sealedīags. She takes the leaves and either chops them or runs However, the best way to store basil past the fresh use stage, while preserving full-flavor, is to do In fact, many recipes call for dried basil rather than fresh, as the flavor is more subtle and complimentary. Harvesting at their peak in the morning is the first step but how youįor long-term storage, basil leaves can be dried and used as seasoning. ![]() Plant, encourage growth by feeding a good, balanced fertilizer.Įssential oils (the components that provide the flavors and fragrance)Īre as noted previously, quite fragile. After harvesting and since basil is a leafy green More than one-third and allow it to recover before harvesting from the Whatever your harvesting practice, do not reduce your plant's foliage by Stimulates branching which will result in sturdy, bushier plants. These trimmingsĬan be used in the kitchen and the pruning of the growing tips Damping off is a fungal infection with easily identifiable symptoms: It’s characterized by the absence (or rotting) of roots thin, thread-like stems where the seedlings are infected and/or the presence of a white, gray, or pink cotton-like fungus at the base of the stem. Regularly pinch back the growing tips of your plants. The seedlings that you have just removed can be composted, eaten as micro greens (if edible variety), or if their root structure is intact they can be transplanted into another planting container so they can continue their journey to maturity.Thing in the morning, when the essential oils of the plants are mostĬoncentrated, harvest mature leaves. When all of the unwanted seedlings have been removed and set aside, gently pat down the disturbed soil surrounding the remaining seedlings.At the base of the stem, grasp the seedlings you plan to remove, one at a time, and gently tug from the soil, preferably removing the root system as well as the above-ground foliage.Next, identify the strongest seedlings you plan to keep and those you plan to remove. ![]() This will soften the soil and make the process more gentle. First, water the soil surrounding the seedlings well.The goal is to remove excess seedlings with as little soil disruption as possible, while still moving all, or most, of the root structure. See the table below to determine how many seedlings of each plant variety should remain in a pod.Īlthough the plant variety and the number of seedlings to keep may differ, the process of thinning is the same for all varieties. Some varieties like tomatoes and carrots require greater thinning for space than other varieties like basil. The weaker, smaller seedlings should be the ones removed. At this point in their life cycle, the strongest, healthiest seedlings should be apparent and easy to identify. We recommend thinning seedlings when they are still young, between two to three inches in height at two to three weeks of age. ![]() Large fruiting plants like tomatoes and peppers are similarly thinned so the remaining seedling can absorb as many nutrients as possible and won’t get crowded out by a bedmate. Ten carrots trying to grow in a 2-inch pod will result in a crazy nest of twisted roots with very short and thin carrot production, while their above-ground tops may look bushy and beautiful. Root vegetables like radishes, beets, and carrots require thinning of seedlings to eliminate competition for resources and space. Some seed varieties require the process called thinning, meaning that excess seedlings which have germinated are removed to provide the necessary space for the plants to thrive. ![]()
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