Do you want a basil always luxuriant and full of fragrant leaves? Pruning plays an essential role in keeping it healthy and productive. Find out when and how to cut it in the right way to encourage abundant growth and a continuous harvest!
Pores of basil is a fundamental technique to ensure a thicker plant, rich in leaves and with an intense perfume. If you do not prose it correctly, you risk obtaining a high, fragile plant and with few leaves. On the other hand, a well -performed pruning stimulates lateral growth, prolongs the production cycle and prevents early flowering, which reduces the quality of basil.
But what is the right time to prune it? And where should we cut? These questions are crucial for anyone who wants a basil always green and ready to use in the kitchen. In this guide you will discover The best pruning techniques, the errors to avoid and the secrets to preserve basil even in the colder months. Follow these tips and you will always have fresh leaves available!
The right time to prune the basil and how to do it correctly
To obtain an abundant harvest, it is fundamental Know when and how to prune basil. The initial phase of growth is the best time to intervene: already starting from April and Maywhen the plant begins to develop, you can start with small pruning to stimulate the branching. The trick for an always thick basil? Cut soon and regularly. Do not wait for the plant to grow too much before intervening: frequent pruning they favor the birth of new shoots and slow down floweringavoiding that the plant becomes too high and woody. If the basil flourishes, the production of leaves will decrease drastically and lose part of its aroma.
In the hottest months, From June to Septemberyou should prune the basil at least once every two weeks, always cutting on a knot with at least Two or three pairs of leaves. Avoid removing more than a third of the plant at one timein order not to stress it excessively. With the arrival of autumn, growth slows down And basil is preparing at the end of the life cycle. This is the perfect time for a more drastic pruning, so as to collect the last leaves and keep them for the winter. If you grow the basil in pot, you can extend its life by moving it to the house, in a bright environment and sheltered from the cold.
Where and how to make cuts for abundant growth
Cutting in the right point is essential to stimulate the growth of the plant. Basil grows vertically, developing a main stem and numerous side branches. Pruning must follow precise rules to ensure that the plant remains compact and productive.
Here are the fundamental steps for effective pruning:
- Use well sharp and clean scissorsto avoid damaging the plant or spreading diseases.
- Always cut a knot onleaving at least two pairs of leaves under the cutting point. This allows the plant to develop new side shoots.
- Make clear cuts and slightly obliqueto avoid stagnation of water on the wounds and encourage healing.
- Regularly eliminate flowersbecause flowering reduces the production of new leaves and modifies their flavor.
- Never cut more than a third of the plant at a timein order not to weaken it excessively.
If your basil is young, the first pruning should be aimed at stimulating the branch: Cut the top of the main stem when the plant has at least 6 leaves. This will encourage the growth of new side branches, making the plant thicker. If, on the other hand, the basil is already mature, a maintenance pruning will help to always produce new fresh and fragrant leaves.
How to keep basil for winter
When the climate is colder, you can keep the basil leaves to use them even in the following months, keeping their aroma and flavor unaltered. The simplest method is the freezingwhich consists in washing and thoroughly drying the leaves before storing them in a food bag, or chop and freeze them in ice molds with a little water. Another effective solution is thedryingwhich plans to hang the twigs in a dry and ventilated place and then keep the crumbled leaves in a glass jar. If you prefer a natural method to preserve its flavor, you can opt for the hallalternating layers of leaves and coarse salt in a very closed container.
Finally, to obtain a ready -to -use aromatic basil, you can immerse the leaves in extra virgin olive oilperfect for seasoning your dishes. Whatever your choice, keeping the basil correctly you can continue to enjoy its perfume and its flavor even in the colder months.
By following these tips, you will always have fresh and fragrant leaves ready to enrich your dishes in any season!
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