Monday, June 17, 2013

Easy Tip for Free Basil

If you're like me, I use a LOT of basil in salads and cooking.


I buy a six-pack or pot of basil in Spring, but it seems to go so fast in recipes, so I propagate more. Yay! Free basil!

Here's how I do it.

As soon as the plants are large enough (about a foot high), I take cuttings about 4 inches long, and put them in a glass of water near the window...removing any leaves  below the water line. 
Change the water if it gets cloudy, or every few days.

I take the cuttings with lots of leaves, because I'll pinch a few off for salads, etc. while they're rooting in the water. 

Well, not that bug eaten leaf. 

You can see here I've pinched some of the leaves and left a few. 
In about a week or so, you'll see little roots like these, and then, it's time to plant. I put them in little pots, and later when they're a little larger, I transfer them to the garden, or a larger pot on the deck.

These are ones I potted last week. 
Would you believe my purple basil, that's in the garden, is trying to bloom already, so I'm glad I've rooted some. Guess I'd better go outside and pinch back the blooms. 
You can take cuttings any time, but if it's started blooming, take the cutting from a stem that hasn't bloomed.
Happy gardening!
Hugs,
Babs


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15 comments:

Lynn said...

A great tip! Rooting plants is fun, and in this case... tasty:@)

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Great tip, Babs! Free is always good! :-) Hugs...Debbie

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Wow! I didn't know that! I would like to try that and keep some in the kitchen. Thanks for the tip! Sweet hugs!

Blondie's Journal said...

Thanks so much, Babs! We love basil, too, and I never thought to do this! I'm definitely going to give it a go!

XO,
Jane

Madonna/aka/Ms Lemon of Make Mine Lemon said...

This is a wonderful tip. I just learned to do this from TheCafeSucreFarine, but do you have any tips with parsley?

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Great idea, Babs! I'm going to give this a try before my basil starts blooming. I've never tried the purple basil, but it sure is pretty.

Babs said...

Ms Lemon, I think parsley can only be propagated through seed, and not from cuttings. I wish it could, since we use a lot of parsley, too. Thanks for visiting. Sorry I had to answer you in the post, but I couldn't find an email address for you

Debbie said...

I have one single basil pot, and I could use some more. I love this tip and plan to try it.

As in... TODAY.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Great tutorial, I need to give this a try. Thanks tons for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

That's really neat- I didn't know you could do that. I just use the dried basil. I like it in pasta salads.

Ivy and Elephants said...

So cool! I never know which things will root in water or not. Thanks for the heads up, now I'll never run out.
Hugs,
Patti

Anonymous said...

Love this tip! Our basil is about to bloom as well.

I'd love it if you join us Thursday at:
The HomeAcre Hop

~Ann

Lisa Lewis Koster said...

Wow, that's so easy I'll bet even I could do it ;)

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

I should use more herbs! I do have a beautiful Rosemary bush and use it when I bake fish but that's about it. Such a great idea to buy an few and them get cuttings from it.
Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!!!
Blessings,
Cindy

Lisa Lynn said...

Thanks so much for sharing on The HomeAcre Hop! Hope to see you again today at:
http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/06/the-homeacre-hop-25-exciting-news.html

Stop by and say hi to our new co-host!