Basil will grow bigger and tastier leaves if a 10-second task is done once in July

Basil is a tasty herb that is known for being really easy to grow, but anyone who owns this plant needs to pay close attention in case it begins flowering in the upcoming weeks. When the weather heats up, basil, as well as all leafy crops, can begin bolting, which is when the plant becomes incredibly stressed and struggles to stay alive.

Bolting will cause basil to switch to survival mode and focus on flowering to produce seeds while its leaves become smaller, shrivelled and stop growing completely. Anoo Verghis, a cookbook author and gardener, has shared that basil will also taste absolutely awful if it bolts. She said: "Plants that have bolted become inedible, and their stems become woody and tasteless and the leaves turn bitter. "

Once basil flowers there is no going back as it will not grow anymore leaves and it will begin to die off naturally since its signals to the plant its life cycle is ending.

How to stop basil bolting in summer

It is really simple to prevent basil bolting and keep it healthy, as all you need to do is move it to another location.

Anoo said: "Move the plants to a shady location once the weather becomes hot."

Most people grow basil on their windowsill or in a pot in the garden, but keeping it in the full sun will encourage it to bolt so it is best to move it to a cooler location.

If you grow basil in your home, try moving it to an east-facing window. This will get a lot of morning sunlight but will be shady later in the day when the sun is more intense.

Anyone who grows basil in their garden should move it somewhere that is shady in the afternoon, such as underneath a tree, roof or fence.

Make sure to place basil somewhere that does not get excessive heat, but keep in mind that it still needs plenty of sunlight, so ideally find a spot that receives lots of morning light.

Morning sun warms plants slowly without overheating them, while the afternoon sun is too strong, especially in the summertime, so it can cause basil to bolt.

Taking a few seconds to move basil in the right area of your home will mean the plant will continue to put all its energy into growing leaves, so they will stay big, tender and even more flavourful.

If you do notice any flowers on your basil then do not panic just yet, as you can delay the plant dying if you also take the time to pinch off the petals once a week.