Tuesday 28 June 2022

Basil

 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


25 comments:

  1. 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

    ReplyDelete
  2. Supermarket 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.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Looking forward to courgettes here too. Please can you share your Crumble recipe, Sue? Thanks 🍽️

    ReplyDelete
  4. I 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.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks so much for the tip, Sue. I will give it a try! --Elise

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks 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.
    I have sown seeds this year but have now noticed the little white bugs again.
    Any tips????

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A mild washing up liquid solution sprayed onto the leaves should help.

      Delete
  7. Great 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!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This 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.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I always get my Basil and Parsleys from Asda already growing, they always survive and last forever.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This 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.

    ReplyDelete
  11. That is such a great idea. I love fresh basil. X

    ReplyDelete
  12. I shall pass this tip on to friends with a greenhouse in exchange for a plant once they are growing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yes, 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.

    Does anyone else have to say 'Basil' a la Sybil Fawlty when they see it written down ... or is that just me then!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'll try rooting some basil using your method. Thank you for sharing this tip.

    ReplyDelete
  16. A brilliant tip - thank you. Basil seeds are SO slow , this will speed everything up
    Alison in Wales x

    ReplyDelete
  17. I think that tip might have been mine. Need to buy some basil and start it again

    ReplyDelete
  18. A 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

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love basil, but have never made pesto. I think I just might have enough to do so this year. My basil is growing wonderfully.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a great idea. I want to try this when we come round to summer again.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Basil 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!

    ReplyDelete