Basil 2026

Yes, you have to wash basil from your garden before using it in your kitchen.   Even if your basil looks clean, fresh from the garden, it can carry dirt, tiny insects, and invisible bacteria that you definitely don’t want in your pesto or salad.   Washing basil from your garden is a simple step, … Read more

You have to wash basil before using it, no matter where it came from. Whether you picked it fresh from your garden, grabbed a bunch at the farmers’ market, or bought a plastic clamshell at the grocery store, washing basil is a non-negotiable step.   The leaves are delicate, but they can carry dirt, tiny … Read more

So, do you have to soak basil seeds before planting?   No, you don’t have to soak basil seeds before planting, but doing so can help speed up germination and boost your success rate.   Basil seeds are tiny and have a hard outer coat that can sometimes slow down water absorption.   Soaking basil … Read more

You do have to replant basil every year because it’s a true annual in most growing zones.   That means the plant completes its entire life cycle in a single season and then dies off, especially when cold weather arrives.   If you’ve been wondering whether you have to replant basil every year or if … Read more

You don’t have to blanch basil for pesto, and honestly, most home cooks skip this step entirely.   When you blanch basil for pesto, you briefly dunk the leaves in boiling water and then shock them in ice water.   It’s a technique that some chefs swear by, but it’s not a mandatory step for … Read more