Sweet basil is probably the type most people associate with basil. Yes you can definitely use a water soluble fertilizer of your choice and the plants will last much longer, but eventually it wont’ be the same since they’re not planted in soil. With a little TLC, your fresh basil can stay fresh longer than you thought. What Should You Eat If You Come Down with Coronavirus. It will last this way for a year or more. I can’t wait for the fresh cilantro, however! Try not to pick too many leaves at one time! Men's Health participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. 386. I prefer to keep mine in water in the mason jars because they are the perfect size to sit on my windowsill. This stuff is amazing for just about everything. The best method for storing basil is freezing. Let the basil cool, then crumble and store in a tightly sealed container. Before you throw it in the freezer, blanch it first. Dump and replace the water every few days, to keep it fresh. Basil hates the cold more than every grandparent in Florida. Throughout the year, it’s not uncommon to find potted herbs for sale at the supermarket. The other big difference you’ll notice is that hydroponic basil is sold with the roots left intact, which is not done with soil-grown basil. You also don't want the basil to begin flowering. I got rosemary and sage just put them in a couple glass cups with water but I want them to stay alive,. Fill the pot with potting soil; dig just deep enough so that your mini-basil plant sits flush with the surface soil after you've stuck it in there and returned the dirt. I hope this helps, and be sure to let me know if you have anymore questions! Should I Use Cow Manure in My Vegetable Garden? Stir-fry. And, while you're at it, pick off any yellowish leaves hanging around the bottom. Strung in a garland around your neck and nibbled at when needed. Welcome! Pasta. Blanching preserves the bright green color of the basil. And I’m hoping to add mint this week if it’s back in stock. Your email address will not be published. https://www.traderjoes.com/stores?q=. If the leaves are soft, supple and well-hydrated, you should be able to store it much longer. I would use and Organic potting soil, and try to find and Organic fertilizer to apply according to the package directions. But this doesn’t have to happen. Also, as much light as possible is great with most of the herbs – especially in the winter when it can be a month of cloudy days at a time! They will soon recover, giving you months of fragrant harvests – and four pots for the price of one. pot of supermarket basil is an almost universal starting point for timid first timers making an initial foray into horticulture. Store them for later use! If there is even a hint of moisture, it will get moldy in storage. 02:10 Buying Basil at the Trader Joes Grocery Store This means the leaves are usually cleaner and don’t need much washing before use, since there is never any dirt on them. A pot of supermarket basil is an almost universal starting point for timid first timers making an initial foray into horticulture. It's excellent for pizza and pesto. Store-bought basil (Ocimum basilicum) growing in a pot provides fresh leaves for a week or two, but a repotted plant can supply your kitchen for months. Thrown straight into salad. Basil is very easy to grow and will spread itself if given the chance. Moderate temperatures are the key to its well-being.