September is the month in which the basil risks drying: find out how to save your seedlings and prolong their lives with simple but truly effective precautions.
Basil, the absolute protagonist of the summer tables, begins to give signs of tiredness in September. The days are shortened, the air refresh and the leaves tend to lose their intensity. Yet, with some tricks you can continue to collect it for a long time. It is curious to note that many consider it now passed off already to the first colds, when in reality it would be enough to keep it alive and fragrant. Isn’t it fascinating to think of a plate of tomato pasta seasoned with fresh basil even in full autumn?
A suggestion immediately useful: move the vases to restored areas as soon as the temperatures begin to drop. A bright corner of the balcony, near a hot wall, or even an internal windowsill can become the ideal refuge. With this simple gesture, the plant will continue to give green and fragrant leaves even when the summer is now far away.
How to treat basil in September
To save the basil in this period, you have to understand the real needs. Despite its apparent fragility, it resists well if it receives the right combination of light and heat. But be careful of thermal changes: they can damage it more than you think. Many believe that it often water is the perfect solution, but the risk is to make the roots rot. Better to keep the soil wet without ever overdoing it. And the container should not be overlooked: a too small vase limits the growth and reduces the vitality of the plant.
Pruning is another precious ally. Cut the peaks on a regular basis prevents flowering and stimulates the production of new leaves. Often it is thought that flowers are a sign of health, but in reality they mean that the plant is concentrating its energies on the seeds, removing them from the foliage. For those who want a tender and fragrant basil longer, the secret is right here.
Simple tricks to make it last longer
There are practical strategies that transform a basil destined to last a few weeks into a generous plant until late autumn. It is a bit like taking care of a small green treasure, which amazes every time with its intense aroma. And when approaching the plant, the perfume that releases really looks like a family hug that immediately puts in a good mood.
Constant attention is enough, there is no need to be gardening experts:
- Place the basil in a bright point but sheltered from the wind.
- Cover it in the evening with a light sheet if it remains outdoors.
- Water little and often, avoiding stagnation.
- Collect the leaves gradually, without completely stripping the branches.
- Feel it with light natural fertilizers, such as diluted compost or nettle macerated.
An often recommended trick is to transplant it in a larger vase in September: a gesture that can give it new energy. Imagine the satisfaction of being able to still prepare bruschetta and sauces with fresh leaves in October, when the scent of basil now seems a distant memory.
Store the collected basil
And the leaves already collected? They should never be wasted. There are simple methods to keep them without losing too much aroma. One of the most loved is to freeze whole or chopped, enclosed in ice cubes with a drizzle of oil. In this way, it is enough to bring out one to find the essence of summer also in the heart of winter.
Another option is the drying, to be always made in the shade to preserve its perfume. Or you can directly prepare a pesto, to be kept in small jars covered with a veil of oil: it will remain fragrant for weeks, ready to enrich any recipe.
It is useless to give up one of the most loved herbs of the Mediterranean tradition too early: with small targeted precautions, basil can accompany your dishes for a long time. Taking care of the basil in September is not complicated, yet it can make a difference.
With simple gestures his season is prolonged and an aroma is maintained alive that makes the difference in the kitchen.
Photo © Stock.adobe
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