How to Clip Basil Plants
- 1). Pinch off flower buds before they open. This will encourage the plant to produce more of the flavorful leaves.
- 2). Clip individual leaves off the plant, but leave the majority of the leaves on each stem. Otherwise, the plant will not continue to produce well. The University of Minnesota Extension suggests cutting off the end of the plant down to "just above a pair of leaves."
- 3). Continue to pinch off flower buds as they develop, and clip the leaves. Do not let the plant flower or go to seed, which may cause the leaves to taste slightly bitter.
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