Fill the jar with enough cold water to cover the stems by 1 inch. Loosely cover the leaves with a plastic bag. Store at room temperature for up to 1 week. For a great way to have the flavor of fresh basil on hand anytime you need it, make the basil into pesto and freeze it in an ice cube tray.
The most usefull answer is; Basil, especially sweet basil or Genoa basil so popular in Italian dishes and used in pesto, is notoriously tricky to keep fresh. It turns black and wilts at an astonishingly quick rate. There are methods, however, of keeping the leaves fresh once the stems have been picked.
One article claimed that fresh basil will last one to two weeks when stored this way. Another popular method for storing basil is the plastic bag method (it sounds far less exciting than “basil bouquet,” I know).
How to grow basil at home?
Whether being grown indoors or outdoors, basil plants need ample light—at least 6 hours of full sun daily. Temperature and Humidity. Keep your basil somewhere in your home that boasts an average temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. For best results, aim to keep your basil plants regularly moist. If you’ve previously amended your soil with organic compost, there’s a good chance that your basil plants won’t need additional nutrients. Pruning and Maintenance. Basil is a hardy plant that needs little maintenance.
The most common answer is: light: At least four hours of full sun. If you’re using fluorescent bulbs, keep them on for 12 hours with the lights about 2-4″ 2 Propagating Basil. 3 Repotting. 4 Varieties. 5 Grower’s Tips.
Here is what our research found. use coarse, well-draining soil to plant the seeds in. Basil needs nutrient-rich soil that can drain water easily to grow into a healthy plant. You can find well-draining potting soil at a garden store, as well as online. Fill ¾ of a container with the soil.
What is the best time to plant basil?
Basil is a plant that does not survive through frost or low temperatures, so the best time to plant it is mid to late spring. So, we need to look after it well, keeping it in perfect condition to make sure it grows well. The next step if you want to grow basil at home is to prepare the seedbed that we are going to use.
Basil thrives with plenty of sunlight and should be placed in an area that gets 6 to 8 hours of sun each day. Consider planting basil alongside your tomato plants in an outdoor raised bed because it acts as a natural insect repellent. If growing basil indoors, place the pot on a sunny windowsill, so it has access to plenty of natural light.
How do you keep Basil from turning dark?
The oil will help the basil retain flavor and moisture, as well as keep the leaves from turning dark. Freeze whole or hand-chopped basil leaves quickly by placing them in water in ice cube trays. The leaves will turn dark after they freeze, but they will still be flavorful. Plan on using about 3 tbsp.