Basil questions.

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Author Message   Master Plvmber Citizen Username: Master_plvmber Post Number: 69 Registered: 3-2003 Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 4:57 pm:        Am I supposed to cut off the flowers on my basil plants? Is there any special way to do this? I'm not an experienced gardener. Also, is there any special way to pluck the leaves off without hurtng the plant? Are coffee grinds really OK as fertilizer? Thank you very much. Master_Plvmber   us2innj Citizen Username: Us2innj Post Number: 784 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 7:33 pm:        Harvest basil by cutting back to one or two pairs of leaves. The plants will recover rapidly in warm weather and may be picked repeatedly. The plant will actually thrive at the points where it was cut, and you might see additional shoots from where it was trimmed. Excess basil may be dried for winter use.   NCJanow Citizen Username: Librarylady Post Number: 884 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 7:33 pm:        MP..pinch the flowers off the basil. It also helps the plant to occassionally pinch the newest leaves off in the center. When I need some leaves for cooking, I just take off a few from the center and one or two large ones. The plants seem to respond well to this. Ah pesto sauce..I can just taste it. NCJ aka LL- Any and all posts are my personal opinions, not as an employee of the South Orange Public Library.   Master Plvmber Citizen Username: Master_plvmber Post Number: 70 Registered: 3-2003 Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 7:53 pm:        What are the best methods for drying and/or freezing it? I'm getting a ton this year...also tarragon. Master_Plvmber   jab Citizen Username: Jab Post Number: 81 Registered: 3-2003 Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 8:14 pm:        I don't know if it is the best method, but we wrap basil up in paper towels then put it into a ziploc bag in the freezer. It works fairly well, but of course is not as good as using the basil when it is fresh. I first heard of this method for ginger and it works quite well for that.   viva Citizen Username: Viva Post Number: 259 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Sunday, July 20, 2003 - 9:00 am:        http://www.scd.ucar.edu/zine/98/winter/text/0.jbmuse.html