Basil Care Guide - Pruning, Pests, and Disease

how to prune basil, increase growth, health, and prevent disease and pests. Check out our new clothing line! http:www.freshpickedapparel.com

[@thriftyacorns3545]

I did some pruning on my basil last year and took all my extra in bags to work and my coworkers were so happy to have garden fresh basil! I love growing food that I can share

[@lifephotos]

I like to blend basil with olive oil then put into ice cube trays and freeze. When frozen I move them to freezer bags. I just plop the cube into my tomato sauce.

[@angelopadla9365]

That’s smart

[@kchiles100]

Game changer

[@InAweOfAnimals]

Great idea to put them in olive oil. I always put mine in water but this is a better idea!

[@agardenbeyondparadise9787]

Basil is so awesome. I keep em fairly short and replant the cuttings and get so many plants.

[@inesandrade6049]

That room must smell amazing!

[@ironbeagle7976]

definitely

[@nickolasbeckham546]

I know I'm kind of off topic but do anybody know a good site to watch newly released movies online ?

[@gerardoemiliano2245]

@Nickolas Beckham try flixzone. You can find it on google =)

[@castielkarson2947]

@Gerardo Emiliano Definitely, I've been watching on FlixZone for months myself :)

[@nickolasbeckham546]

@Gerardo Emiliano Thanks, signed up and it seems like they got a lot of movies there =) I appreciate it!!

[@PorchGardeningWithPassion]

This really is a very fun plant to grow! You can aggressively prune it back and it won’t hurt it at all 👊🏻🌻👊🏻

[@BrittanytheVampireSlayer]

I live in New England, last year Japanese beetles DECIMATED my basil in late July. There were stalks with skeletal looking slivers of the leaves left. However, after about 2/3 weeks it all grew back in full force.

[@biancar481]

Thanks for the tips. Hoping my basil actually makes it past one season this year.. BTW: baking soda is basic, not acidic.

[@codyshealy6509]

How about a video(s) on processing and drying various herbs?

[@tashryan7330]

I have started growing basil last month. I had an issue with mildew but have since rectified it. Awesome tips given. 😁

[@johngolding4229]

Thx for adding to my knowledge. Baking Soda. Opposite of acidic. 🥴😂. Good info on one of my fav plants. We grind add olive oil and freeze in ice trays. Basil all year long. Yummm. Will be getting mine ready to grow shortly.

[@RosieBsmom2]

Wow I just glanced up from my crochet while listening and noticed your banana tree in the background. I have one the same size with the same number of dead brown leaves on it, and there are babies popping up from below...I bring it indoors for winter where it struggles to survive until I put it out in the yard for summer!

[@Green.Country.Agroforestry]

I use those 27 gallon totes for worm bins :) We're super excited to be growing basil this year - we saved seeds from some sweet basil that volunteered, and have 16 plants out in the high tunnel, awaiting transplant as companions for our tomatoes.

[@coleweede1953]

My plant biology teacher taught us about hormones last week and he showed us how bushy you get basil if you prune it and how lanky it can get when you dont prune

[@josephnadrignola1951]

A couple of comments about my basil experience over the years. I love basil and started to grow it by purchasing small plants from a big box store or two. Bad mistake - even brand name plants were carrying powdery mildew! Some of it survived in the soil and started to affect my from-seed plants. I killed it by spraying a soapy non chemical pest discourager on the underside of each affected leaf. It worked. Very tedious but i was determined to not waste any of my precious basil. I had a great season this past summer with my basil and tomatoes in my new raised bed gardens in a sunnier location of my yard compared to an area that got increasing amounts of shade from my neighbors trees. I always have pruned my tomatoes for air and light and my basil for increased production. I pruned so many times this past summer, my freezer is loaded with ice cube tray cubes of pesto in FoodSaver vacuum bags. One problem: I prune as you do in your video. The lower leaves had been in place since June and when I picked the final leaves off of all of the plants, most of them were lower leaves. I dried them and broke them up and jarred them. I found the flavor of these leaves not anything like what I expected. Is it because of the time they were on the plant? The leaves I harvested for pesto were overpowering. They were all recent growth leaves. By the way the flowers and flower buds are edible too. I am sure you know that. A new and very satisfied fan/subscriber to MIGardener. Joe Adrignola

[@kellyy4525]

Here in the NC, it's been extremely rainy and the slugs are going crazy. I use slug pellets around the ground and now they aren't eating my basil. It has really helped! Thanks for this video!!!

[@IronOxcide]

Hey there, been to your seed store. i was very surprised at the low prices, selection and even cheap shipping. i ordered 6 things, some others i wanted were unavailable so ill def be checking back.

[@mrsesta1119]

So glad to see you guys have a podcast, just subscribed and excited to listen.

[@sandyp9891]

I like to let SOME of my basil flower and seed, so I don't prune them all toward the end of the growing season. It's fun watching volunteers pop up all over the garden, like they're doing now, and I just leave them where they are. Basil (and Tulsi/Holy Basil) are some of my favorites because they're super easy to grow in my zone.

[@shanebep3135]

that's a ton of basil! I love basil. Also I noticed they're drooping a bit, I had this with my hydroponic basil as well. I put an aquarium airstone in there and it allowed the water to circulate and oxyginate and the leaves started perking right up! Not sure why it happens or how it works but it seems to do the trick for mine. Great videos!

[@AlliyahPerry]

I'm soooo excited about the podcast!!!!!!

[@LifefromAshes001]

This was great, just wanted to tell you I've had great germination rates with the seeds I ordered from you this season! Very pleased 😄🌱🌱🌱 thanks from Ashes xo Ontario Canada zone 5a

[@VanMan89]

You can try adding a fan to your grow room, it will help the plants grow strong stems to stand up straight.

[@MindyLeeCrouch]

Thank you for this! While I have not noticed powder on my basil, I have on my rosemary. I'm going to try that!

[@pvtmiller21]

fellow Michigander here, this year is the 1st year I've seen the Japanese beetles and they have taken a real liking to my Italian sweet basil among other plants around the property.

[@lizgaby9761]

Ohhhh that's what I killed yesterday out of panic in the middle of the night! I didn't know it was a grasshopper, hadn't seen one. I just started gardening and I'm not great with bugs...thanks for the info.

[@busby777]

baking soda is not acid -- it is alkaline (also called base) -- I use vinegar

[@aprilz6540]

True, but bases can also cause burns...just ask any soapmaker.

[@MrThomBeck]

Baking soda isn’t caustic enough to cause burns, but more importantly it’s not an acid. Blocking this poster.

[@aprilz6540]

@@MrThomBeck, bases can indeed cause burns. While baking soda does not have nearly as high a pH as some other bases (ie, lye), it is enough to cause irritation in some folks. In this case in particular, ion toxicity may be an issue, also if it's getting in to the plant's water and is taken up by roots.

[@caroc8290]

Just found your Chanel not long ago, And I been learning so much!!! Love your information! Looking forward for tomatoes season !!! I’m located East Los Angeles, we have great wether for home gardening!

[@tthappyrock368]

Slugs are a big issue in my area. Crushed eggshells around the plants and some Sluggo (non-toxic and breaks down into substances plants can use) help. I'm definitely trying the powdery mildew solution. Thank you so much for another great video ❤️

[@Kanne606]

Chick grit works very well

[@jacobmeekhof8614]

When will there be a Giant Crimson Tomato update. When will they be available. It would be nice to have them this season.

[@jennifersteeves5482]

Great Video! Thanks for sharing! Just started 50 or so basil seeds indoors 😎🌱

[@heathercaldwell3329]

Hey Luke! Thanks for the video. Just FYI your title says puning instead of pruning. Idk if that messes with anyone searching for this info. Thanks for all the information you always share! Have a great day!

[@patriciagilani6369]

Thank you! I like the way you explain things. My basil’s leaves are “sad”.

[@jeloder]

Hi Luke! Thank you for everything you do for us! I have an actual question but first I just want to publicly laugh at all the miss-the-big-picture, live-to-gotcha, wannabe nerds on here correcting you about baking soda ph 😂😂 People are so annoying! But my actual question is about when to start pruning the basil plant (assuming there is some kind of rule of thumb indicator besides just when the plant is physically unstable)? And if i can make this a broader question that I'd love to see a video about in the future if you are ever able, is how to know when to begin harvesting from our leafy plants in general. Like what kinds of general plant mass and growth indicators can we use to know that it is safe to harvest from the plant without unduly stunting it, and whenever possible given the plant variety, crop type, how (and when, how to tell when is the right time) to harvest to strengthen and encourage plant growth rather than hinder it. I am a new gardener and definitely want to grow my plants for food but also respect and appreciate my plants (!!) and want to try to harvest when it can be optimal for both me and the plant. Thank you again! I really appreciate your channel!

[@andywyenandt1133]

Nice video! Downy mildew is the most significant threat to basil grown in the home garden. Fortunately, basil does not get powdery mildew. Downy mildews, like powdery mildews are specific to the host or hosts (e.g., plants with the same family) they can infect. Symptoms of BDM infection show up as a chlorosis (i.e., yellowing of the leaves), and will only sporulate (produces purplish-brown spores) on the undersides of leaves.

[@audreywy1743]

Thank you for the information! Just wondering, how long can you keep that cut basil fresh and how? How do you dry basil in an oven or microwave? How long will dehydrated basil keep for in an airtight container? Thank you

[@SM-vd5bi]

I am so excited for my garden this year it’s all container gardening this year unfortunately but I’m still excited

[@myabbayah9092]

It not unfortunate its excellent that you still get to grow food. Send energy of succeas to your container garden. Congrats

[@Mmbohn1]

S M I like container gardening the best. Easiest to control, less work and less mess!

[@someguy43210]

I like fabric grow bags best. Earthbox is second.

[@misscandicern]

I love container gardening. It's all I do. I have some of the keter boxes. I really like them.

[@JL-Breaks]

SUPER helpful! Thank you!

[@vhall7211]

The best cure for grasshoppers is turkeys. The best cure for slugs is ducks. The best cure for removing all vegetation is chickens. The best comic relief is guinea hens.

[@anmolwalimbe313]

Very informative video! It is definitely time to prune my basil. I have two more important questions regarding basil: 1) Can I transplant the basil into a bigger pot or separate the plants if I have 2-3 of them in the same pot AFTER I prune them, or should I give it a certain time to adjust to the pruning? 2) I have noticed some yellow/ orange spots on some of my sweet basil leaves, any idea what that could be and how to treat it?

[@sunkisshomesteadgardens9997]

Thanks for the info I trim my basil quite often I sometimes would like to trim them even more that was never quite sure just how much I could take off the plant.

[@CM-yc8tr]

Excellent video!

[@m.b.g.2235]

I have really enjoyed your channel and it has got me wanting to do more this season. I live in Maine and I would like to start some seedlings indoors. I have a 6' slider that gets some nice sunshine. I have one of those small greenhouse that is about 18" in depth and about 6' tall. I would like to put it in the house up against the slider to start my seeds. Do you think it would work. Thank you.

[@ThatGardener]

So helpful thanks so much Luke

[@JZ-xu3vg]

I know this vid is old, but how much sun do you give that basil to increase the leaf size?? they are magnificent.

[@nicolehans9169]

Thanks! Mine had the mildew so I was looking for help😁

[@jamessorrells652]

Luke, I am a first time gardener. I am growing everything from seed and its all going very well. My question is this. When I built my raised bed, I put down a weed barrier under the soil mix I made for the bed. Is this going to be an issue? It is 12ft x 3ft x about 18 inches deep. I have tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and I am planning on garlic as well. I am growing cilantro and Sweet basil in separate containers. My soil is equal parts garden soil, cow manure and peat moss with some 13-13-13 fertilizer mixed in. any advice would be very helpful. love your channel.

[@MsSunstoned]

Hello Luke. Thanks for all you do. But can we talk about powdery mildew? I've never experienced it before & I'm in a new gardening space & didn't realize what it was until the end of the gardening season. It was on cukes, zukes, squash, monarda & some extras. What to do? Everything says spray in summer with Hort Oil but I don't want to hurt the bugs or bees ... what would you recommend & the right time to spray.

[@truefuschniken]

Love this!!!

[@nursingandnature]

I tried your method of taking cuttings from basil and trying to get them to root, but it’s been a week and no roots, however the cuttings are still alive and drinking the water they are in. Any troubleshooting you can offer? Does it just take more than 7 days for roots?

[@babochon]

I tried baking soda last year onto squash plants: it had powdery mildew all over the place. Didn't work. I wonder what went wrong.

[@mooseflats6732]

thank you that was really help full!

[@LifeRNhungrynursetravels]

Ty for the tips!

[@jackthornton46]

Great to info Luke.

[@verawol3111]

? I purchased seeds from your web site & I noticed that the seed packets didn’t have directions like can start so many weeks before last frost. I like to do this as I live in Alaska. ( table king bush acorn, Burgess buttercup, tomatillos purple & pineapple just to name a few. Thank you Vera

[@hollynelson543]

Do you dry your basil? Show use that process. Love your channel from a Michigander.❤

[@quazzarr]

That's so much basil, it must smell amazing.

[@pagz1973]

Thanks a million, Luke. One question though...how do you preserve all that fresh basil you pruned off? Bag it and put it in the fridge?

[@dominicaudy8479]

The worst pest I’ve had for basil (and a list of other plants) is the Japanese beetle. They come in swarms and can turn a whole basil patch into lace in a matter of hours. Tulle does the trick, but they might throw themselves at the cucumbers, or the eggplants etc.

[@ezpeteyt]

We are having a horrible bug year (2024) in the Houston TX area and the worst pest that seems to love our basil is silkworms. We created a water mote and a diatomaceous earth dry ring outside of that which seems to be helping but a few keep finding there way in there. Regular inspection is then required.

[@busby777]

my basil bolted after three years, despite regular trimming, so I'm starting a new one

[@deborahtofflemire7727]

Luke do you prune all basil the same ?I love my cinnamon basil it is lanky too. So is pruning the same ?

[@champitadub]

Wow! Do y’all have any good pesto recipes? That basil is beautiful!

[@dorin-mirelpopescu6372]

Have you measured the light intensity in your basil growing rooms? Would give me an idea about what intensity one should aim for.

[@mtcarmelman632]

Luke, thanks for sharing! I have a question I hope you can give advice. I have a bunch of seeds planted in my indoor grow tent. They range from a variety of tomatoes, peppers and greens. I've heard it's a good practice to mist spray them regularly with water with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to avoid drying out and to prevent disease, can you give your PROFESSIONAL OPINION, PLEASE?

[@rylojenkins7936]

MICHIGAN man here Detroit to be exact. I'm having mad trouble with basil for some reason. I have a few stems in water currently and thinking of planting in pots soon.

[@luketanker6074]

This is off topic but i'm growing strawberrys and i want to know if it's okay to just throw the entire strawberry in a pot and cover it with soil.

[@ThatGardener]

Wondering if can directly put the cuttings into ground instead of water? I had mixed results with that. Thanks.

[@Master_Blackthorne]

The Tomato Horn Worm also feeds on basil plants.

[@robertgibson2622]

My Basil is about 5 feet tall not top heavy at all never prune it but not sure why now it has some yellow leaves and black spots... So you know if there's a w ay to save it or is it just going to die or is it from pest or a disease? Not a lot of info out there about this happening to Basil and what to do

[@augustvukosovich4683]

I just started having house plants so Im VERY new to taking care of plants. I saw a basil plant, very small one at my store and bought it. Ita beautiful and fragrant. But, The main two big leaves at the bottom now have these little round black spots on them. The upper leaves do not. It was over watered when I bought it, but I only watwr every 3 days. What is it please and thank you for your wonderful video. I mad3 sure to like it. 😊

[@barbarabell2658]

I have recently noticed leafminer damage. You didn't mention that so I'm wondering if it is not common, and any prevention methods you may have?

[@JoyfullyOrangeDeborah]

Luke, what about rosemary? I bring mine in for the winter, under grow light bulbs in the ceiling fan (blades not turning) on my dining room table in front of the sliding glass doors. I'm trying to save my two large plants. I've lost so many with this fuzzy white stuff that grows on them - even after they go back outside, & the leaves get dark spots until new growth comes on but then my plants are just getting mg woodier & larger. Can they be pruned? Can rosemary be propagated? We spent about $30 on plants last year & these two are my last two. I haven't had any luck with growing from seed. I love rosemary! I love lemon thyme & for the first time I just had about $50 in plants go by the wayside (makes my heart sick) & now what's left is being eaten up & I've never had lemon thyme eaten by anything. My herbs are on a table on my deck under an umbrella, they are not in the ground where abundant pests or bad soil are. My basil plants are pretty new so I'll be following your guidance for them. Thanks & Blessings from Deborah in West Virginia!

[@apokalupsishistoria]

Do you happen to know if this is the same for purple basil? Thanks

[@parkerbarnes7726]

Baking soda is... basic. Not acidic.

[@chlnaturester]

I was just gonna say the same thing. It's basic "make a volcano" science.

[@originalshredder34]

I'm sure he will correct that eventually, he was probably just sidetracked and misspoke lol! Because I was thinking the same think, alkaline not acidic

[@jmseipp]

. Right..., Baking Soda - Sodium Bicarbonate is SUPER Alkaline! Stick a pH tests strip in a glass with Sodium Bicarbonate sometime, you’ll see.

[@RedScareClair]

I came here just to see if anyone said that 🤣

[@bryanvagenos5089]

yes its around 8.0 or so

[@MissBinkerton]

How do you store all that basil? When I harvest it and don't use it immediately it always gets sad and brown in about a day, unless I put the stems in some water.

[@Mstymntntop]

Can you share the setup of your grow room to have basil like that?

[@kathryntan2647]

Thank you for this video. I hv never have a basil plant for Long. It died after few months. The stem becomes woody why?

[@richardwilliams3839]

Love. Basil especially to just cut it put in a jar with some water mint rosemary and lavender at time great combination of smells in my room are by the window ledge last year 2020 well I always grow basil in a big pot mix the dirt in with a little fertilizer at a time then I plant it and it flourished

[@nardusuys1591]

I am growing basil in an aquaponics system in a warm, humid environment. I have seen powdery mildew on my cucumbers, but something else is crippling my growth on the basil. Darker grey "powder" on the bottom of the leaves. Leaves turn yellowish and die. I've tried an organic spray that works for powdery mildew (concentrated garlic and olive oil mixed with water), but doesn't seem to save the basil. I've also tried trimming the plant back severely without success.

[@bevonviechweg7891]

I wanted some info. On the containers how did you do it? Thank you

[@wintermanmuzika7650]

That’s nice but can you tell me what kind of pot you using to grow the basil plant

[@jann2759]

Does basil grow in winter too on partial light or ends growing by autumn ?

[@earthisflat]

I'm growing a Bhut joklovia pepper plant I started from seed I grow it indoors it's about a foot to a foot and a half and it looks like it started to flower should I pinch off the first flowers or let it be?

[@jenniferrush8231]

What about “basil downy mildew” that is spreading across the US and currently is a major problem for farmers? I have it so I’m desperately trying to find good resistant varieties.

[@harpersfh]

Make sure to keep them dry - don't let water splash up on them from the dirt, buy resistant varieties and rip out the plants when you see it. It was devastating last year so I'm planning on having some indoors all year and being diligent about being sanitary with the plants.

[@beckymoody9173]

I live in Hawaii. Can I grow basil year round if I keep it pruned? It’s always gone to seed and I didn’t know why.

[@FrankMac59]

Baking soda is the exact opposite of an acidic solution. It is strongly basic, that is with a pH above seven. It is even used to neutralise stomach acid in cases of indigestion in some commonly used antacids.

[@cybermuse303]

I can smell the basil through the video! Any ideas for storing your harvest?

[@briteeyesofaz]

Do June bugs eat Basil? I’ve got something that is really eating my potted basil which is outdoors.

[@rhondamckenna7635]

Is powdery mildew and downy mildew the same thing? If so can I treat the downy mildew with the baking soda?

[@2Mushy]

I found some ladybug-sized beetles that are black and yellow striped on my basil. Can't figure out what they are. Zone 8 any ideas?

[@christinepro]

Lots of great tips. Thanks. My basil is being eaten by flies that look like house flies, but are smaller. How do I stop them from munching?

[@crammia]

Looking for some help! I have a small but long woody Thai Basil plant (almost a foot and half of wood growth) then the tops of green leaves (only about 4 leaves) How do I trim this guy? Can I cut into the woody base to trim him back? I don't want to kill it but he's getting too tall to be supported any more. Thanks in advance!!

[@hajirizayev7374]

Спасибо братан! Было полезно.

[@laurarodrigues9393]

Hi 👋🏻 my basil has a lot of small white bugs. They stopped growing despite me properly watering them. Are the bugs normal? Could they be the reason for the growth problem?

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

I think I need to set up an indoor grow system for basil. Basil wants too much heat for my location. Aphids like lime basil.

[@warrenalbert7922]

My Basil plants were doing great then in August some disease hit and killed them all. I just found out it is Downy Mildew. It rained so much here in GA this year and I don't know how or if I can prevent it.

[@richardcorsillo9819]

Computers make me dizzy. Would love if you did a table of contents. Either way, you have been a stellar source

[@jasminedatayan5160]

My basil has silvery color in the leaves. I dunno what is happening. Also how to keep the spider (alot of webs in my basil) and ants?

[@leilaemery4494]

I am getting little brown bugs all over my basil. I constantly wash them off with soap and water solution and I spray them with water, but they keep coming back! Help. What are they? would lady bugs work?

[@Connor-tv5gu]

Do you dehydrate your basil? How do you preserve it?