When to Pick Basil
Harvesting of basil can begin as soon as the plant has at least six sets of leaves. Thereafter, harvest basil as often as needed. Pick basil in the morning when the essential oils are at their peak freshness.
How to Harvest Basil
To harvest a small amount of basil, just remove a few leaves for use. Cut back whole stem for use in larger harvests. Cutting back entire stems will result in a bushier plant that produces more leaves too. Harvest from the top down. If cutting back entire stems, cut back to a third of the plant’s height, cutting above a leaf pair. If cutting the plant back by a third, wait a few weeks to harvest again. If for some reason you have not been regularly picking your basil, be sure to pinch back the plant at least every six weeks to encourage bushy growth. Also, pinch back any blooms to facilitate foliage growth.
