How tall should your basil be when you harvest it?

Answer 1

I harvest basil from the time I plant it. I pinch some leaves off and add it to what ever I'm cooking or a salad, sliced tomatoes. The one thing I do is never let it flower bloom or stay on the plant. When the white flower come I pinch them off, I think the basil becomes bitter someone told me that. Not sure if it true but i do it anyway. At the end of the season I take leaves off the plant wash then place on paper towels and let dry for a little bit. With them still on the towels I roll them up and place in freezer. So I can add to spaghetti sauce and soup, stuff like that what ever you like. Enyoy!

Answer 2

Basil height has no relation to when it's harvested. You can harvest the plant's leaves at any time. If the plant is small with no more than 10-20 leaves, I recommend taking only a few (4-6) leaves, leaving the rest to support more plant growth.

I know some people will harvest only the lower leaves, leaving the plant to grow taller. I think this is missing out on the best of the basil. The growing tips are the most flavorful and tender. I pinch off the growing tips that have maybe 2-4 mostly full-size leaves growing very closely. It should pinch off easily with your fingers. This will force the plant to send growing tips out from the remaining axils (where the leaf or branch meets the stem). The plant will be bushier and produce even more of the tender, flavorful growing tips.

Answer 3

anytime of the year. i find it grows better indoors, as long as you care for it and water it. outside, grow it in spring when its not too hot or cold

Answer 4

Basil leaves can be picked at any time. However, if the plant is very small, taking the leaves may stunt or kill it.

Answer 5

Basil hates cold. So most importantly make sure not to plant it if it might get below 40 degrees at night. When that is depends entirely on your planting zone.