Growing BASIL 101 | Herb Gardening Tips and Tricks

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[@TiaChii]

Im the "master tomato grower" in my family now just because I watched you care for yours~ so now i will become the Bazil queen haha Alll thanks to you

[@BriarHollowFarm]

There’s a Lemon Basil Cookie Crunch ice cream recipe online that has become a summer staple in our house - it’s SO GOOD. I love growing basil, and alongside zinnias it’s one of the few plants that actually thrives in the summer Texas garden (plus the pollinators go crazy for the blooms) :) This year I’ve got Genovese, lemon, lime, purple ruffles, spicy globe, Thai, blue spice, and some sort of speckled volunteer 😂

[@tdleitch]

Pesto, pesto, pesto! It’s my favorite thing on the plant. I make tons every year and freeze it for the off season. So I have a little piece of summer all year around!

[@schex9]

Last year I made "Almost Pesto" with just basil, olive oil, salt, and pepper for the freezer bc i didn'thave all the ingredientsin hand. I added the other ingredients if needed after defrosting. Sometimes I was happy it was just those ingredients.

[@AylaGrassrootGardens]

Nothing alive needs full South Carolina sun 😂 I used to grow in Seattle, this is quite the learning curve. I love these videos that focus on 1 or 2 types of plants. You are such a joy to learn from.

[@cheifcreekturtle]

This may be totally unrelated to the topic, but sometimes I need to watch older videos about certain gardening topics to refresh my memory, and watching your hair style and cut and color change through out the years is fun 😊the many hairstyles of Jess 🙌 it’s looking very nice today also!

[@jewels3923]

Cardinal basil is hands down my favorite. It makes great tea, and the flowers can stand alone or accompany a great bouquet. The flowers look beautiful as they dry as well.

[@randaposey7817]

My toddler started preschool today and these videos couldn’t have come a better time to keep my mind busy from missing him 😅

[@jamjar5716]

Oh! I love the idea of the lettuce leaf basil to use as wraps! Yum!

[@alicepettit164]

"someone could be sleeping on the basil tea" option. Me lol.

[@danaokay]

Your basil tea video changed my life!! I have basil everywhere now and I can’t believe I ever went a summer without having it around.

[@taraconroy6631]

Fresh Genovese basil on homemade burgers from the grill is one of our favorite summer treats 💓🌱🌞💓

[@jessidutton3441]

Brilliant!

[@italiana626sc]

Excellent tutorial, Jess! Basil is one of my favorite things to grow. Def agree on the grocery store basil plants being very prone to dying at home. BUT - they are great to propagate from!! One plant that would've died in home conditions can become so so so many plants that will thrive using the tips you've outlined here. 🙂

[@pattipate9732]

Tulsi and lemon balm tea cold over ice is THE most refreshing summer drink! We love it!

[@rainwaterrefugehomestead2267]

I do lemon balm and lemon basil :)

[@TheLifeProvided]

Lemon balm goes in all our tea. 🩵🙏🩵 It's sunshine in physical form.

[@losnolt]

Can you use lemon grass?

[@michelleshorey1399]

My favorite! Doesn’t need a sweetener!

[@honeybee52000]

Have a rough recipe?

[@user-kx9dc7hn9g]

Basil babies are BEAUTIFUL! 🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊

[@kimmie3504]

Slices fresh mozzarella cheese, slice of thick fresh strawberry on top, chopped fresh basil on top of that, drizzled with balsamic glaze, yum yum yum great summer side dish served cold.

[@Miss.Denise94]

Fun fact: I never knew that there were multible kinds of basil, until I started watching you

[@lindasuerussell4398]

My husband loves basil. I had never thought of propagating it in water in the house. Now I have three cuttings going indoors. I can't wait to show my Hubby what I can do with Jess helping me of course.

[@mjn042679]

Love the Bob Marley shirt, Bob Marley and gardening. I bet he gardened too 😅

[@Susanadana69]

Bet he grew more than Basil…

[@virginiaallisonpeck2517]

@@Susanadana69😂😂😂❤

[@baglady216]

​@@Susanadana69 Holy basil😂

[@helenpenner9899]

I am so excited aboit this one ...i have never been able to grow big bushy basil

[@kimmy_mac]

Love the smell of lemon basil and the colour of cinnamon basil with the purple stems.

[@patchurch1677]

I put cinnamon basilin blueberry crisp, but I haven't found any yet this year. :-) From western Massachusetts USA

[@suzannegrimes9743]

I was so excited to harvest enough basil this year to make my very own Basil tea!!! Yum Thank you Jess !

[@donnarodriguez4755]

My favorite is lettuce leaf basil rolled up with thinly sliced roast beef. OMG! To die for.

[@theresad6990]

Perfect timing on this one Jess. I was looking at my basil this afternoon and wasn't quite sure how best to prune it . Thank you!

[@PorchGardeningWithPassion]

I love growing basil too! Excellent tips 👊🏻🌻👊🏻

[@thegrowinggardener]

My favorite basil staple is pesto. We eat it on BLTs, pizza, chicken sandwiches… and I freeze it in ice cube trays to use throughout the winter. I haven’t had to buy pesto since I started gardening!

[@carmens5541]

I've never had much luck with basil, THANK YOU for this video, I will try growing it again 😀

[@Susanadana69]

I spotted your Bob Marley shirt before you even started talking about Basil. One more reason I love you so much.

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

He seemed like such a precious man. I did a report on him in high school and I’ve been a big fan since then. He really loved people.

[@Susanadana69]

@@RootsandRefugeFarm and he single handedly stopped a war. I still have tickets to the concert in Seattle that was cancelled when he died. Guess I’m just a 73 yr old hippie. BTW, I just got my first two Greenstalks planted about 3 weeks ago and ordered parts for a third so they can all be shorter. Used your code…thank you.

[@Susanadana69]

@@RootsandRefugeFarm I also have “Redemption Song” as my ringtone. Happy to see some of us have more than gardening and food in common.

[@tbarc1]

I could wear basil as a perfume! The scent of basil and the scent of a freshly sliced cucumber are to me, the best scents ever...toss in a nice spring rain falling and I'm over the top contentedly happy!

[@debarnold5019]

Thank you so much for these "courses." I SO appreciate not having to look through the archives to find the same topic (if you've done one before).

[@lesleymorrison8262]

Thank you for this in depth tutorial!!! I need this for every plant!

[@trishapomeroy9251]

I saw both videos posted and I'm excited to watch them both! This one first and then the other. I have some basil seeds sprouting now and I can hardly wait!!!! STRAWBERRY BASIL ICECREAM??!!! We will be needing that recipe too please.

[@belieftransformation]

Great information; thanks again for sharing & teaching! Blessings to all 🤗🇨🇦

[@TracyLynn-Mike]

I have all the basils growing this year just so I can make some basil teas with you!! I’m so excited for this video!! Thank you!

[@trishapomeroy9251]

ME TOO!! LOL

[@mrslsix]

I am having lunch with a glass of Basil Ginger tea while watching this video. Basil tea is so good.

[@Paige0311]

I really LOVE lemon basil tea with blueberries. 😋

[@LadysFarm]

I love growing basil. 🌿 it’s so amazing and it is truly simple ❤❤❤

[@ruthannecoro6198]

Ive got 7 varieties growing because of you 😊 tried your basil tea last summer! I put in a 4x8 raised bed for a tea garden this spring.. lots of basil, calamintha, chamomile, lemon balm, orange balm, anise hyssop..😊

[@ericawhitfield9289]

Tea garden sounds so lovely!

[@airwrecka213]

Brilliant idea Jess, what a great way to complement your channels and equip people with what they need to know!

[@amberh4109]

I've has success with basil this year... I started them in an inch or so of soil in one of those clear plastic trays that you put under planters... When the weather was warm, I hardened them on my patio for a few days and then just broke up the basil plants into kind of "clumps" and spread them around the garden. Super easy to do and there was no drainage in the pan so it stayed moist. :)

[@fareebug8439]

"It's a fragile baby plant, just born on your window seal." You think how I think 😂 I love it!

[@schex9]

window *sill*

[@amyharris7337]

I absolutely adore basil. When I first started vegetable gardening, my food that I couldn't wait to eat fresh was caprese from my own basil and tomatoes with homemade mozzarella. That's the ultimate summer flavor to me! I have been growing herbs for many years and without a doubt the best herbs I've ever grown were ones I planted in a long planter and put on our porch underneath where our window AC unit dripped. They got a constant drip of water and never dried out and they loved it.

[@jillmadigan9841]

The store potted basil plants can be far-more-easily divided into separate plants in a container of water (rainwater or filtered is good). Then gently tease the roots apart to plant immediately. They might benefit from a little shade the first day or so. (Did I suggest that - before buying - you tip the plant over to look at the holes for visible whiteness; if seen, carefully turn the mass out of the pot to make sure the group of plants you buy is not horribly-pot-bound? Trust me, it's time to walk away, unless they're free.)

[@hazzardoustime1968]

We love fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomato sandwiches drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. An aged vinegar is the best, and we pile up the basil. Yum!

[@debrasaints3809]

Mine popped up voluntarily all over my garden this year. I only grow Holy Basil and love to make tea thanks to you and Will’s wife. Blessings!

[@islandgirl3615]

I'm growing so many types of basil this year after learning about them from your channel. I can't wait to try my hand at making basil tea!

[@pibgorn]

I love basil & really appreciate how you explained basil care.

[@Bodallinhomestead]

In the Kimberley our basil grew wild, establishing it at our new property so we can have basil for years to come

[@foragingandurbanfarmingatt4745]

LOVE that shirt! Basil is ok too!

[@brennabracken2797]

Absolute favorite is Blue Spice!!! I don’t even know how many varieties I have. It’s like a special mission for me to find any variety I don’t have. Which has become quite hard as of late lol. And thanks to your first video showing how to make Basil tea that is my favorite way to use it. I make and drink it ALL summer. Lots of ice and it’s amazingly refreshing and of course the health benefits! Thanks Jess! Never cease to inspire!!

[@marking-time-gardens]

Oh yes! Could you please share the receipt for the strawberry basil ice cream! Thank you for teaching about the Basil today! Blessings on your family and your growing season Kiddo!🌻🐛🌿💚

[@cherylh8924]

Thank you Jess, this video was very helpful to me, I'now have to go out into my garden and trim my basil.

[@shawnmcpeak6184]

I bought a Purple basil from a store some years ago. It got probably 32 inches tall and 28 inches wide. It was absolutely Beautiful. My house was south facing It got good morning sun, and shaded in the afternoon by the front porch.

[@joyces.9021]

I grew tulsi from seed for this very reason.... Shared the seedlings and your video on how to make the basil ice tea with some of my friends. Thanks Jess!

[@michelewhite1150]

Strawberry Basil ice cream sounds luvly xx

[@Itsavabanks]

This is wonderful! I am happy that I can still grow some basil this summer. I have a plant some purple and regular basil seeds. I also have your heirloom tomato seed recommendations from when you were in Arkansas. Have a great summer everyone.😀

[@HarvestingFaithHomestead]

I want to make margarita pizza with my fresh basil this year. I finally learned how to make good pizza crust this year, I have my own sauce that I make, now I just need to learn how to make mozzarella too

[@lindap9079]

I fell in love with Basil Tea after watching the video featuring Taylor teaching about it. Every year (OK its only been 2 years) I increase the number of plants in my garden I want to have a continual supply.

[@jenipiechocki6925]

I have cinnemon, holy, genovese, and lemon basil growing! Yay!! I dont remember which is which lol 😂

[@denesestanley7011]

Hi Jess, thanks for sharing. The lettuce leaf basil looks amazing.

[@scofieldfarm]

My favorite way to do basil tea is as a hot tea at night... but we love the iced basil tea too! You were the first one who introduced me to regular basil as tea and I just can't go back.

[@roserainy7586]

Oh gosh, I've been trying to grow thai basil and have been removing flowers because I thought you had to. Good to know I can just leave them, they are so pretty I hate removing them. Plus yes, they just flower again immediately every time.😅

[@jtharp9265]

I love growing basil ,and my 1st harvest of cherry tomatoes with sautéed sweet onions ( we grew & Garlic ) in Avocado oil or butter simmer down and add your favorite spices, mine Italian herbs ,then add fresh basil . Best summer refreshing fresh sauce . Yummy . Mrs josette Montgomery County, Texas 🙏

[@debrahenze5734]

I love the Cinnamon Basil

[@growjoyfullyhomestead]

Things look lovely ❤

[@karenclement7903]

I grow genovese basil every year with seed, it's my favorite. I just chaos sow seeds in big pots and sit those pots between the indeterminate tomato pots. I use it fresh and dried in everything.

[@sunshinensprinkles9322]

Love the master class style series. I’m inspired to try and grow basil again. 🤞🏼🌱. P.S. Love the Marley shirt. My goddaughter named her daughter Marley after him. The name suits her to a tee.

[@denaliprincess]

I like to add a borage leaf to my basil tea! It doesn't change the flavor and I get the added nutrients. Another great drink is Basil Kefir. I have been making water kefir and made some with basil! 🥰 The perfect summer beverage!

[@victoriaturnershoemaker3723]

Love this video and the ‘collab’ with The Farmers Table. Great idea!

[@itsgoodforthesoilgardens]

Love your t-shirt!!! 🎶

[@jenniferarcher3323]

I had a Bubba Gump flashback moment when you were sharing the varieties 😂😂😂 I love all the varieties of basil too ❤.

[@user-fl9oo6rn6b]

Thanks for sharing that!👏

[@TheLifeProvided]

This made my whole day 🩵🙏🩵

[@caroleferreira2846]

Great video. I will be starting basil from cuttings tomorrow.

[@survivalflare54]

Thank you! This is my first year growing basil. And It looks so good. But I wasn't sure how to prune it. Now I do!😊

[@blackrock5749]

Another amazing video! Thank you so much for answering so many of my questions. 😊

[@isabelladavis1363]

Will be propagating holy basil from stem culling on window sill tomorrow lol… love love love that as a tea my son Expects it as soon as summer arrives and we add lemon balm a few sprigs of mint as if the season is right ….the flowers from ELDERBERRY… a splash of honey a wedge of lemon to the glass…❤️❤️❤️

[@denisehicks7525]

Love the info. Thank you for talking about basil.The knowledge. Yes i have a hard time with my basil. I love the new talk. The info is great. mahalo

[@deniseallee2802]

I Tried it ,Now I Love Strawberry Basil Ice Cream but in Milk Shake❤

[@keithbauergo]

I saw you are coming to Coeur d'Alene at the end of the month for the Modern Homesteaders conference? We live five minutes from where it's going to be held. My wife is a huge fan and says you should do a meetup :)

[@BethEmily763]

Fantastic T-shirt❤❤❤

[@kathyweber2571]

Thank you ,loved this video on basil .

[@helenahudon7527]

thank you! I do struggle with basil, learned some great tips/reminders! Love your new channel too :)

[@CharlotteJones-hz5fr]

Really like your new hair do.

[@karieb1859]

We started basil last year and fell in love with the smell of the blooms! This year hubs and I are obsessed with finding and starting all the basils lol😂 idk what we will do with a hedge of basil as he calls it, but it will smell good and thats all I really care about lol.

[@lisag402]

Thanks for all the great tips. I'm hoping to grow lots more basil this year. Love your hair, btw. Looks great!

[@NoTrashInHeaven]

I was given a purple basil plant, and I've struggled to keep it looking healthy ~ thanks so much!

[@TheHeartofHome]

Basil tea is a GAME changer! 👏🏼🫶🏼

[@rachelneely9973]

I love lime basil😊 Great in limeade and chicken marinades

[@user-jy7qn4gy6h]

We have a spring countdown in our family for the tomatoes and basil being ready together to make Mel's Kitchen Cafe's 20 minute Pesto Pasta. AAAAmazing

[@tonyastadt9102]

Thank you Josh I really love when you explain herbs better because I do have an interest in a basil and I want to learn more about growing it because I have planted some lemon basil and I am really excited to use it for tea like you do or use it to make like a rub😊❤ !!

[@marilynnew2189]

Where I live the most important tip is to not put basil outdoors until temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees at NIGHT. It is so hard to wait if that doesn't happen before July.

[@TheAsandtheBs]

I’ve been needlessly chopping off the gorgeous flowers of Thai basil. Also off to propagate some Genovese. Thank you for this!

[@ceecee-thetransplantedgardener]

I grow basil in mostly shade. A few hours of morning sun and the rest of the day - shade. It THRIVES. Basil likes the warmer temps but not to be baked. My selfish pleasure is Blue Spice. I don't use it in my kitchen - I just LOVE the smell in the yard. For my kitchen, I love the traditional basils - fresh, dried, and in pesto, etc. So - I germinate and grow progressively throughout the summer to ensure my "larder" is stocked through winter.

[@natk8976]

This was so helpful! Thank you!!

[@MynewTennesseeHome]

If you have a huge surplus of basil you can also make pesto, fill icecube trays, after frozen pop out, bag up...pesto all year.

[@thepickincoopfarmstead]

I use it to make a tincture for my arthritis 😊. It works very well

[@nancysimpson4246]

Love your videos very interesting. You have a lot of knowledge for people. Thank you for this video.

[@thewaywardirishícan]

I love lemon or lime basil. I haven’t gotten very far past the point of smelling it incessantly because it’s so addicting, but I imagine it makes good cocktails, I’ve put it in white rice, might be good in salsa…who knows. I love the scent.

[@ThisandThatOutdoors]

Thank you for this video. I so needed it.

[@gumbootkatie]

Hey Jess, this is really fantastic, thanks! Would you be willing to do a similar format video on okra? You've inspired me to try growing it for my first time this year (it's my "something lovely", hah!) I've got about a dozen Bowling Red (from Baker Creek, 100% germination rate!) going in soil blocks that are ready to go into the garden. I'm in zone 7b, Vancouver Island, BC. Anyone else growing okra for the first time?

[@kerrifeliciano5752]

Could you please make a video on making strawberry basil ice cream on the Farmer's table?

[@growingstrongrootsSummerWest]

I share the BASIL LOVE with you. I made fresh basil pesto with the first of my basil and it was DELISH. Basil is such a FLAVOR EXPLOSION for me and the smell makes my brain happy. 😂 Thanks for the reminder about making basil tea. That sounds lovely. 💚🦋