I've not bought Basil seeds since someone in blogland shared this tip
Pot of Basil from Aldi 67p. I cut off 4 pieces just below a leaf node, took off the lower leaves and popped in water. The pegs around the top of the jar just prop up the shoots so they don't fall right in.
Roots appear within a week and then pot up. The rest of the bought pot of Basil shoots I divided in 3 and planted into bigger pots of fresh compost. So now I have 7 pots of Basil in the greenhouse growing nicely.
Plenty of Basil to make some home made pesto for a Courgette Crumble to go with the "few" courgettes I have already (four plants is 3 too many as I knew they would be but planted them all just-in-case!).
Back Tomorrow
Sue
Oddly, basil is something I really dislike (together with leaf coriander) Such a shame but there you go. However, your cuttings look incredibly healthy - what a good idea. xx
ReplyDeleteSupermarket Basil plants are so cheap but they don't last that long. What a good idea to just take cuttings. I've never thought of doing that so thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to courgettes here too. Please can you share your Crumble recipe, Sue? Thanks 🍽️
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, thanks.
ReplyDeleteI did similar with a supermarket mint plant. I put it into a big pot and sunk it into the garden. I've been getting mint for my new potatoes for about 4 years now.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the tip, Sue. I will give it a try! --Elise
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip. I stopped buying supermarket basil plants as they always developed white aphid type pests as soon as I tried picking the leaves.
ReplyDeleteI have sown seeds this year but have now noticed the little white bugs again.
Any tips????
A mild washing up liquid solution sprayed onto the leaves should help.
DeleteGreat idea. Glad it's worked so well. I didn't let myself buy even ONE Courgette plant this year. I didn't want to be held to ransom by dozens of wannabe Marrows and I have a friend up the road who will happily give me her surplus!
ReplyDeleteThis is a means of propogation I'm very keen on. I've usually got several small spice jars lined up on the kitchen windowsill. Mint, dogwood, geranium, hydrangea - it's worth trying a bit of everything this way.
ReplyDeleteI always get my Basil and Parsleys from Asda already growing, they always survive and last forever.
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting as I love basil, but currently my skills are at 'kill a spiderplant' stage. I'll remember this, though, as I really, really, really love basil.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great idea. I love fresh basil. X
ReplyDeleteI shall pass this tip on to friends with a greenhouse in exchange for a plant once they are growing.
ReplyDeleteYes, I tend to buy one Basil plant a year from the supermarket and divide just as you say. They sow so many seedlings in one pot that they are overcrowded as soon as they start growing so we might as well benefit from all those extra healthy little plants.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else have to say 'Basil' a la Sybil Fawlty when they see it written down ... or is that just me then!!
Just added a fresh basil plant to my current online grocery order! Thank you for passing on the tip. I'm tempted to try other cuttings as well.
ReplyDeleteI'll try rooting some basil using your method. Thank you for sharing this tip.
ReplyDeleteA brilliant tip - thank you. Basil seeds are SO slow , this will speed everything up
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
I think that tip might have been mine. Need to buy some basil and start it again
ReplyDeleteA bit like my tomato story.One slice of tomato and I have got at 15 plants,now quite big and flowering.Great to get something for free.Barbarax
ReplyDeleteI love basil, but have never made pesto. I think I just might have enough to do so this year. My basil is growing wonderfully.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
A tip to use and share.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. I want to try this when we come round to summer again.
ReplyDeleteBasil is one of my two favorite herbs and I can't grow enough of it. I've never tried it from leaves and will have to do that!
ReplyDeleteGreat tip! Thanks!
ReplyDelete