Newbie stoopid question - pinch out Basil?

Pinzy

Hello all, I know this may seem a ridiculously simple question - but this is the first year I'm trying to grow food.

I got a very bog standard "grow basil" pot with some core (can't remember how to spell it) and basil seeds. We've got about 20 shoots coming up - do I need to pinch out the weaklings? How many shoots should I leave? The pot is only about 3" square. (We will repot into something larger, but are not sure when's best.)

Linda32

To answer your question, at this stage no you do not need to pinch out. I think you need to google pric-king out. If you google you need to take the space out. I have had to put that in as its a naughty word :rotfl:

This will lead to the repoting into something bigger as you are thinking.

Pinzy

Ah thank you, I now know the difference! Looks like I'll need to get myself a 'dibber'!

ManAtHome

Or a pencil...

Rummer

ManAtHome wrote: »

Or a pencil...

:rotfl: I do love a gardening gadget however you are right a pencil is just as good :rotfl:

Cally_Smart

*was it coriander (the one you'd forgotten?) one of my favourite herbs!Oh sorry ignore me ..it wouldn't be in a grow basil pot,lol, I think you meant coir ,a kind of compost! But coriander is worth growing ..... adds a lot to curries etc

Farway

Rummer wrote: »

:rotfl: I do love a gardening gadget however you are right a pencil is just as good :rotfl:

Or even use a finger?

Pinzy

Coir - that was it. I remembered yesterday while putting the shopping away and exclaimed "Coir! C.O.I.R" to a slightly confused hubby.

Used a kitchen fork to get them out and a finger to replant them - technical

ALIBOBSY

On another note as they get bigger its worth pinching out the tops. Once they have two "levels" of leaves so to speak pinch the top part off where the stem is just above the lower set of leaves. This encourages the plant to bush up and produce more leaves rather than a single stem. You can use the pinched off stems and leaves fresh in cooking or freeze/dry out for use later. We love soft herb leaves chopped into salads, basil is nice and various kinds of mint is lovely.

BTW basil doesn't like to be overwatered and when young best to water from underneath. My new fav herb from last year is lemon basil, grows like crazy and is REALLY lemony, fab stuff.

Ali x