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Don’t make this mistake when harvesting basil: it dries in 7 days

It is because of this mistake that everyone makes basil dry out in just a few days.

The basil plant is ever-present in every Italian home. An excellent flavor enhancer for traditional dishes, but also an essential fragrance for any setting. Its essential oil is also known to be rich in properties and benefits for the body. In short, these bright green leaves can provide a lot, and there are a thousand uses to be exploited. If the basil is dry, what are the causes? The fault lies in a specific action that is performed and has a devastating domino effect on the seed.

How best to treat this plant?
Basil is an aromatic plant used in cooking as a flavor enhancer for traditional Italian dishes. Everyone has basil in pots and tries to keep it healthy, but in most cases, the plant dries out or withers after a few days. This is a common occurrence, as is the mistake made.

Often, and deliberately, not knowing this detail, we do not buy basil plants , preferring the chopped one found in the freezer counter of the supermarket. You should never give up that scent and taste of fresh leaves.

Freshly harvested basil
There are several determining factors that cause seedlings to dry out within a few days. An expert nurseryman will explain this, but if you buy them from a supermarket, no one offers an explanation of what to do or avoid.

You don’t have to make this mistake with basil.
To prevent freshly purchased basil from dying immediately, you shouldn’t make any minor mistakes. When buying a plant in a supermarket, the first thing to check is the type of pot: in most cases, it’s not suitable, and you’ll have to repot it immediately.

Once the plant arrives home, repot it in a terracotta pot, enriched with clay at the bottom to prevent water stagnation. Plant the basil and water carefully.

Dried basil
You orient yourself by touching the soil, checking that it is not dry or too damp or wet. The ideal time to water the plant is in the morning so that it can absorb all the nutrients of the day . Also pay attention to the exposure, in fact a plant inside the house must be positioned in a bright environment.

Anyone keeping it outdoors should choose a location sheltered from wind and direct sunlight, which could burn it. Another factor is that supermarket plants are often exposed to high temperatures.

Once you bring it into your car, it may be affected by intense heat or cold depending on the season. The advice is to ask a nurseryman about the right temperature to avoid compromising its health when transporting it home.