The best magazine
- 1). Harvest basil once the plant is 1 foot tall and has at least four sets of fully unfurled leaves. Cut off the leaves near the top of the plant, leaving at least two sets of leaves near the base of the plant. Remove no more than one-half the plant's height at each harvest.
- 2). Pick basil leaves a second time three weeks later, after the plant has grown to its previous preharvest height. Continue to harvest the leaves every three weeks.
- 3). Remove any remaining foliage once the flower buds begin to swell, but before they open. Basil loses most of its flavor during blooming, then quickly dies back after flowering completes.
Source: ...