Caitlin Havener on MSN

When and how to harvest fresh basil

There's something quietly satisfying about growing your own basil. You start with a small seedling on a windowsill or tucked ...
Regularly harvesting basil helps the plant stay bushy, healthy, and productive for a longer growing season. Pick leaves by gently pinching from the top down, which encourages fuller growth and ...
From pesto to Caprese salad and cocktails to pasta dishes, basil is a favorite ingredient in the kitchen and a must-have in any Southern herb garden. When temperatures consistently stay in the 80s, ...
Basil is an annual, so knowing when to harvest it before it perishes is tricky. July, it turns out, could be the month to circle on your gardening calendar.
Basil flowers have a charm of their own, and can be used for decorative bouquets. However, the leaves start to get a bitter flavor once blooming begins. Growth of new tender leaves also slows once the ...
Few things spice up a dish — or, for that matter, an herb garden — like basil. With flavor profiles that include sweet, spicy and even citrusy, the herbaceous staple is a favorite of both growers and ...