Sweet Basil

BASIL GROWING AND HARVESTING TIPS

Sweet Basil is planted usually as an annual herb and requires a lot of sunshine and well drained soil. The seeds should be covered with a thin layer of soil and kept moist while germinating. Basil can be grown inside the house and should receive sun from a south window.

When the plants are 12" to 18" high, they should be harvested regularly to keep new growth coming on. The leaves can be used when picked, or they can be frozen or dried

How to Dry and Preserve Your Garden Fresh HerbsAir drying herbs is not only the easiest and least expensive way to dry fresh herbs, but this slow drying process also doesn't deplete the herbs of their oils. This process works best with herbs that don't have a high moisture content, like Bay, Dill, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Summer Savory and Thyme. Moisture dense herbs, like Basil, Chives, Mint, Tarragon preserve better in a dehydrator, or try freezing them. Use a microwave or oven to dry herbs only as a last resort. These actually cook the herbs to a degree, diminishing the oil content and flavor.

Harvesting
Harvest before flowering. If you've been harvesting all season, your plants probably haven't had a chance to flower. But non-hardy herbs will start to decline as the weather cools, so late summer is a good time to begin drying your herbs.

Cut in mid-morning. Let the morning dew dry from the leaves, but pick before the plants are wilting in the afternoon sun.

How To Dry Herbs
Cut healthy branches from your herb plants.

Remove any dry or diseased leaves

Shake gently to remove any insects.

If necessary, rinse with cool water and pat dry with paper towels. Wet herbs will mold and rot.

Remove the lower leaves along the bottom inch or so of the branch.

Bundle 4 - 6 branches together and tie as a bunch. You can use string or a rubber band. The bundles will shrink as they dry and the rubber band will loosen, so check periodically that the bundle is not slipping. Make small bundles if you are trying to dry herbs with high water content.

Punch or cut several holes in a paper bag. Label the bag with the name of the herb you are drying.

Place the herb bundle upside down into the bag.

Gather the ends of the bag around the bundle and tie closed. Make sure the herbs are not crowded inside the bag.

Hang the bag upside down in a warm, airy room.

Check in about two weeks to see how things are progressing. Keep checking weekly until your herbs are dry and ready to store.

Marie Iannotti
About.com

Mixed Herb Pail

BASIL RECIPES

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