Basil

[melv16]

I've grown some basil from seed. The plants are about 6" high. Will pinching out the tops make them bush out or stop them growing?

[Maydup]

Eat the tops now and they will replenish with side shoots and keep flourishing . Mine never make it to more than 2 inches as I cant resist eating them!

[Buenchico]

Quote (from the RHS, where they know a thing or two about gardening):
"Keep plants bushy and productive by pinching the tips of branches regularly and remove any flowers that start to develop".

Source:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/herbs/basil

[melv16]

Thanks for the replies. I've noticed how pungent the plants are. So much better than the ones you get from the supermarket, which tend to be forced.

[Tilly2]

Spaggy Bol for tea then?

[melv16]

No, Tilly. Friday is prick and ping night. Spag bol is tomorrow's tea.

[Chipchopper]

Basil, not really my forte but pinching out the tips, should encourage bushier plants. The tips themselves will provide the extra bonus of a delicious garnish, far to good to waste.