Why start from seed, when you could easily clone an existing plant?  The fresh smell and taste of basil plucked right from the plant is one of the best experiences a foodie can have.  I’d take the smell of garlic sauteing in grass fed butter as the winner of the two, but garlic doesn’t eek out basil by much.

This morning I trimmed up my main plant in our aquaponic grow bed.  I’ve now got perhaps 8-10 clippings in water which should root in the very near future.  It’s a nice use of left over food jars, or unused mason jars.  Plus I’ve added nutrients to the water (actually, our fish, Oscar, has) to help promote good growth.

When you prepare a clipping for propagation, it is best to trim off all the leaves except for the top two.  You don’t want the limited energy going into the plant to be used to further grow the leaves at this point.  Rather you want that energy going into the root production.  That’s how you end up with additional viable basil plants.

That’s also how you end up with an extra ounce of the freshest basil you could ever find !  Can you say fresh pesto sauce, anyone?

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
—Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)