Encouraging Basil To Grow Bushy
Answered by: Inge Poot
Question from : Joanne Bancroft

I have basil plants that I grew from seeds and they are approximately 2-3 inches in height. I’d like to know when is the best height to begin to pinch out the top leaves to encourage the plants to begin to fill out.

For a large-leaved basil about 10 cm would be a good height to start pinching out the top and for a bush basil about 5 cm would be OK. When it comes to harvesting, start chopping off anything over 15 cm for the large growing basil and anything over 8cm for the small one.

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