Ever bought a lush, leafy pot of basil from the supermarket only to have it wilt or die within a week? Don’t worry—you're not alone. What if I told you that same sad pot could become a never-ending supply of fresh, fragrant basil? Yes, really! All it takes is a little know-how and a dash of patience.
Let’s get that basil working for you—and maybe even make a few gifts or dollars on the side.
Choosing the Best Pot of Basil
Start by picking the healthiest plant you can find. Look for vibrant green leaves (no yellowing), firm stems, no flowers (that means the plants are past their vegetative stage) and a pot that looks more like a crowded jungle than a single plant—that’s a good thing! Supermarket basil is often crammed with multiple seedlings, which gives you the perfect opportunity to multiply your stock.
Separating the Plants
Gently remove the basil from the pot and tease apart the roots under running water. You’ll likely find 10–20 seedlings in there, all tangled up like spaghetti! Carefully separate them, keeping as much root attached as possible. Don’t worry if some roots break—basil is forgiving. Select the healthiest ones.
Soil Mix and Potting
Use a light, well-draining soil mix. A 50:50 blend of potting soil and compost works wonders. Plant each seedling in its own small pot (even yogurt cups with holes poked in the bottom will do for now). Press the soil gently around the base and water lightly. Place in a semi shaded area for a few days. Gradually expose these new transplants to sunlight. (a process called hardening)
Pinching the Heads (for Bushy Growth)
Once your new basil plants have 6–8 sets of leaves, it’s time to get snippy. Pinch off the top two sets of leaves above a leaf node (where two leaves meet the stem). This encourages the plant to branch out, making it bushy rather than leggy—and way more productive.
Watering
Water basil when the top inch of soil feels dry. It likes moist (not wet) soil. Early morning is best to avoid fungal issues. In our Caribbean heat, that might mean watering every day, especially for potted plants.
Planting Into the Garden or Larger Pots
After a couple of weeks, your basil babies will be ready to move to their permanent home. Choose a sunny garden spot or pots that are at least 8 inches deep. Basil loves the sun—give it at least 6 hours a day—and hates soggy feet, so make sure drainage is good.
Fertilizer or Compost
Basil isn’t a heavy feeder, but a little love goes a long way. Feed every 2–3 weeks with compost tea, diluted fish emulsion, or a sprinkle of well-rotted compost. If you’re using kitchen fertilizers like banana peel water or molasses (you know I love those), go easy—too much nitrogen and you’ll get lots of leaves but little flavour. Avoid chemical fertilizers as much as possible.
Harvesting
Once your plants are bushy, you can start harvesting regularly. Never strip the plant bare—always leave a few sets of leaves so it can keep growing. Harvesting by pinching the top encourages more branching, so pick often and use in your favourite recipes!
Keep It Coming: Continuous Supply and Sharing the Green Love
Now here’s the magic part—basil roots super easily from cuttings! Snip 4–6 inch stems, strip the lower leaves, and place them in a glass of water on your kitchen windowsill. Roots will appear in about a week. Pot them up, and voilà—more basil!
You can keep a steady stream going year-round by rooting cuttings every few weeks. Use extras as gifts for friends, welcome additions to plant swaps, or even as starter stock for a little side business at the local market.
Final Thoughts
That one pot of supermarket basil is just the beginning. With a little time and care, you can grow more basil than you’ll know what to do with. Pesto, anyone?
Stay rooted,
The Grey-Haired Gardener 🌿
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment