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I shared this wonderful technique exactly one year ago here at The Café. Since we've had so many new friends visiting in the past twelve months and with Spring being right around the corner I didn't want anyone to be without a plethora of delicious fresh basil this warm weather season. Don't worry, we'll be sharing tons of delight recipes to utilize your treasure trove too.
Have you heard of the well known saying "You can never be too rich or too thin?" I have to say, I most heartily disagree with both of these premises. With so many young, beautiful girls suffering from social-induced image problems, like bulimia and anorexia, it breaks my heart that a thin, lean body has become an icon of female beauty. The most beautiful women I know range from being short, tall, large, small, young, old and all places in between!
And as far as material possessions, well, I think Solomon, known as "the wisest of all men", sums it all up quite nicely; “Give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich I may deny you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name”.
Now basil, well, that's a whole different story. Although we grow a lot of basil each summer, it seems like I could always use more. One of my favorite recipes ever, Sweet Basil Vinaigrette calls for a quarter pound of basil - have you ever seen how much basil it takes to make a quarter pound!?
I use fresh basil quite extravagantly in my cooking; garnishing and even decorating (I love having a big, fresh bunch of basil sitting on my kitchen counter in lieu of fresh flowers!). As spring and summer cuisines come into season (sorry Australia and all of you living in the Southern Hemisphere!), you will see tons of recipes on my blog that call for this lovely, fragrant, delicious herb. And that's why I'm sharing this wonderful tip with you today that most people are unaware of.
I was wandering through my local Whole Foods Market the other day, when some beautiful basil plants caught my eye. They were fresh, tall and full, and...... well like I said, just plain beautiful. They were priced at $2.50 (very reasonable for those of you using different currencies) each and I quickly snatched one up and and tossed it into my basket. My heart skipped a few beats because I knew exactly what I was going to do once I got home.
I cut up the plant into little pieces! What in the world? Did you know that basil is very easily propagated? Yes, if you cut it up correctly, you can get a bunch (I got twelve!) of lovely basil plants for your spring/summer enjoyment, out of just one plant.
If you can't use a lot of basil plants, go ahead and root them anyway - use the little plants as gifts to your "foodie" friends - they'll be thinking of you quite fondly all summer long! 🙂
A Wonderful Recipe: Fresh Basil Plants 12 for $2.50!!!
Ingredients:
1 large, full, healthy basil plant, either potted or hydroponic
kitchen scissors or a sharp knife
small glass container
water
Directions:
1. Begin this process no more than 2-3 weeks before it is safe to plant basil in your climate zone which is usually when temperatures will consistently remain above 50˚ at night, the days are warm and sunny and there's no danger of frost.
With a kitchen scissors or a sharp knife, cut 3-4 inch cuttings (they may end up being a bit longer, depending on where the first leaf node is) right below a leaf node; this is where a leaf joins the main stem.
2. Remove leaves off cuttings on the lower 2 inches.
If there are tiny leaves at the leaf node, don't worry about these.
3. Place cuttings in small clear glasses of water on a bright, sunny (not hot) window sill. You can put 1-2 cuttings in each glass. Watch the water levels carefully, adding water to keep stems immersed. Change the water every other day to keep it fresh.
4. After 5-7 days you will begin to see some tiny white roots forming. Each day more and more will appear. Let the roots grow to about 2 inches. This will take about 2-4 weeks, from start to finish. You are now ready to plant your plants outdoors in a sunny spot.
Notes:
~ The cuttings may look a bit droopy after a day or so. They are just adjusting to a new environment; keep the water level full and be sure to change the water every other day. A little warning; sometimes one or two of the "little offspring" just don't make it - it's too shocking for their system - you should have plenty of others though, that do just fine!
~ Don't be snitching basil during this growing period. That's a good way to put them into irreversible shock (I'm not, I'm really not telling you this from personal experience ...........oh dear, my nose is growing!)
~ For more information on planting and growing basil check out this informative website.
~ Fresh herbs love lots of water, especially in the hot summer months. They will wilt, droop and their growth will be stunted if they don't receive enough moisture. I am very forgetful and lazy when it comes to watering plants. Years ago, my husband devised an ingenious system that keeps my herbs healthy and beautiful during the scorching summer weather we experience here in the Carolinas. Check out this post and you'll be able to see for yourself how this simple and ecologically efficient drip system works!
Louise Kostecke says
...fabulous, thank you !!!...
JIK says
Thank you for this great tip and also thank you so much for adding the Scripture in your article. It always makes me happy to see people use verses from the Bible 🙂
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
I love growing my own herbs. I am going to have to try it this way this year to see if I get better results!
Joan Hayes says
This is so funny. I just bought some basil plants this weekend and the first thing I did was trim them all back and after removing the large leaves, placing my stems in water to create more baby plants. I'm looking forward to lots of fresh basil all summer long!
Cake Duchess says
Great idea, Chris. I planted some pretty purple basil seeds a while back. I will try this idea with some of them and see how it grows;)
Carol | a cup of mascarpone says
My absolute, most favorite herb in the whole world! How come I never knew this? Thank you, thank you, Chris!
Lemons and Anchovies says
This is such an helpful post. I buy basil plants every year and they seem to be the ones I have the most difficulty with. I actually can't wait to give this a try. Thanks so much, Chris!
Mr. & Mrs. P says
Wow. I didn't know that basil propagated from cuttings. I would always let one flower, so i can replant the seeds. Will try this.
Mr. & Mrs. P says
Wow. I didn't know that basil propagated from cuttings. I would always let one flower, so i can replant the seeds. Will try this.
Erin Dee says
Aaah! I have a huge problem with keeping basil plants alive. Perhaps I should try this and maybe I'll have a better chance of having one survive! Thanks for posting this. 🙂
Lisa {Authentic Suburban Gourmet } says
I love homegrown basil! What a cleaver idea - thank you for sharing with all of us!
Andrea says
Great post, I am a big basil fan, just de aroma reminds me of the wonders of nature.
I will do this 🙂
victor says
this is only adding to my new basil obsession!
Mary says
They are both practical and decorative! I am able to buy living basil plants that are already potted. They are a terrific money saver and they live for weeks if they are kept out of direct sunlight. A lot of folks are going to appreciate your instructions. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary
Vicki says
Thanks for this post! Do you have any tips on how to keep the basil alive once it's potted? Mine always turns brown at the roots, and it slowly spreads up the plant until it dies.
The Café Sucré Farine says
Hi Vicki, it sounds like you either might be over watering or otherwise perhaps the water isn't draining well. Basil likes lots of water in the hot summer months but it doesn't like to sit in a soggy pot. Be sure your pot has a good drainage system and/or that the drainage holes are not blocked. I'm not an expert at this but this is what I surmise. Hope you have loads of healthy basil this summer!
Vicki says
Thanks,Chris! Maybe I'll try again 🙂
lena says
i have a pot of basil a year ago but it eventually died..thanks for all your great tips..! yes, i think they make nice decors in the kitchen too 🙂
Valerie says
My thumb is far from green, but you make this look so easy! Maybe basil will be my gateway to other plants! 😉
kitty says
What a wonderul tip, Chris! Thanks for sharing.