Bitter basil
by
Karen
I've grown sweet basil for years in my garden but for the first time ever the leaves are extremely bitter. We had 90-100 degree days for 10 days but I kept the basil row well watered. What caused it and can I still salvage it by trimming it way back and hoping the new leaves will be better?
3 answers
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Pruning ~ did you prune the flowers off? It's very important to prune the flowers off before they even get a chance to grow. Cut above the next set of leaves, trimming back as far as you need to go. Basil is one of the few herbs that require a little TLC. New, organic soil every year & try not to plant in the same place every year. If you need to, throw a little organic fertilizer in :) After planting it for years in your garden, then you have to know that basil grows best in rich, moist, WELL drained soil ~ good luck!! :)
Seena
on Jul 13, 2015
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Hi Karen ~ IDK, did you change up where you plant them every year? Did you use new soil at all? (not just fertilizer?) Sometimes a complete new soil in a 'new' area does the trick. I'm sorry you're having problems with your basil :( Maybe you got sold a variety that looks similar to the one you've been used to (something similar in looks) but not the same basil plant you grow every year?
Seena
on Jul 14, 2015
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Thank you for your comment. I plant basil directly in the garden soil and in different locations each year. We mulch the garden each fall so the soil is well supplemented. I have a full row of it so yesterday I ended up trimming it down to 6-8 inches in the hopes that the new growth will be sweet. We'll see!
Karen
on Jul 14, 2015
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