Making Basil More Bushy?

[JamieSmith]

Ive heard you can make basil more bushy instead of tall can someone tell me how to do this please

[chris]

Pinch the growing tips of each stalk out - that'll encourage more side shoots, hence the bushier plants

[endymion]

Pinch the growing tips of each stalk out - that'll encourage more side shoots, hence the bushier plants

... and use the bits you pinch off in the kitchen

[Two_Sheds]

yep, you do the pinching out unintentionally really, as you use the basil in the kitchen

[VirginVegGrower]

I always think of plants as like people and creatures. Show them a modicum of respect and you will find they respond so a careful water here and there, removal of dead leaves, etc. Care, you know what I mean, I'm sure

[Glutton4...]

Keep them away from the Dog, too.

[chris]

I'm going to have to get my ruler out and start smacking backs of hands soon!

[valmarg]

If you don't use the pinched out tips of basil, put them in a basin of water and they will soon root. You can then pot the rooted cuttings up, pinching out the new growth and rooting as before.

If you don't grow basil from seed yourself, you only need to buy one pot from a supermarket. Take the tips out to make the plant bushier. When the pinched out tips have rooted you can pot them up, and take out the tips to root for more plants.

valmarg

[SarrissUK]

If you don't grow basil from seed yourself, you only need to buy one pot from a supermarket.

This is very good for all sorts of herbs that you can buy in a pot. Just be careful to divide the many plants of you often get as they are too crowded to be happy long term. I usually do that with parsley, because I find that difficult to get right from seed.

[JamieSmith]

Thanks everyone.