Basil is easy to grow and useful for cooking.

Fresh herbs are great for cooking, but I've killed basil plants before.

Britain's sunshine is good for gardens, but bad for basil.

Basil flowers when it's happy, but this stops leaf growth.

Basil often dies in May if not cared for.

Uncared-for basil leaves become weak and bitter.

Herbs should be cared for to be useful. Basil is an annual plant and dies after flowering.

Letting basil flower means it will wither and die soon.

Pinching basil once a week makes it taste better and live longer.

Basil stops growing leaves when it flowers.

Pinching basil means removing flower buds.

Basil flower buds are small and pointy.

Basil grows fast in May and needs weekly care.

Pinching basil helps it grow bigger leaves.

Pinching basil takes only 10-20 seconds.

Basil stems have leaves growing in pairs.

A node is where new branches and flower buds grow.

A node is a small, pale green cluster.

To pinch basil, remove the tip above a healthy leaf pair.

You can snap or cut the tip, but be careful.

Leaving a stump can make basil weak. Pinching basil helps it live longer and grow more leaves.

Pinching basil makes it bushy and healthy.