You trim basil for use by pinching or cutting the stems just above a pair of healthy leaves, which encourages bushier growth while giving you fresh leaves for cooking.   This simple technique is the foundation of how to trim basil for use, whether you’re grabbing a few leaves for pesto or harvesting a large … Read more

You trim basil for winter by cutting it back hard to about 2-3 inches above the soil line, which encourages a fresh flush of growth before the cold truly sets in.   This proactive trim is your best defense for how to trim basil for winter, as it prevents the plant from becoming woody, leggy, … Read more

You trim basil for regrowth by cutting the stems just above a pair of healthy leaves, which forces the plant to send out new shoots and grow bushier.   You don’t just snip leaves off the top and call it a day, because that leaves the basil plant leggy and weak.   Trim basil for … Read more

You trim basil for pesto by pinching or cutting the stems just above a pair of healthy leaves, and you do this regularly to encourage bushy, flavorful growth.   If you’ve been wondering exactly how to trim basil for pesto, the good news is it’s a simple gardening task that doubles as a harvest method. … Read more

You trim basil flowers by pinching or cutting the flower stems off as soon as you notice them forming.   This simple act redirects the plant’s energy back into producing those big, fragrant leaves you love.   If you let basil flowers grow, the leaves will turn bitter and the plant will stop producing new … Read more

You trim basil for bushy growth by pinching or snipping off the top sets of leaves just above a pair of lower leaves, which encourages the plant to branch out and double its foliage.   Learning how to trim basil for bushy growth is one of the most important skills for any herb gardener, especially … Read more