Countertop Harvest
Free 5-day course · Lesson 5 of 5 · About a 5-minute read
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You made it to Day 5. This is the fun part: harvesting. Done right, cutting makes your herbs grow back bushier.
- Basil: once it's 6–10 inches tall, cut stems just above a pair of leaves (UC Master Gardeners). Two new shoots grow from that spot. Pinch off flower buds as soon as you see them.
- Mint: snip often to keep it bushy.
- Chives: cut leaves 1–2 inches above the soil, starting from the outside (University of Maryland Extension). They regrow.
- Parsley: cut outer stems close to the base and let the centre keep growing (UMN Extension).
- Cilantro: start at about 6 inches tall, and sow a fresh pot every 2–3 weeks for a steady supply.
A good rule of thumb: never take so much that the plant can't keep growing. Take a little, often.
What's next? Keep going with the free 30-day planner. It gives you one small task a day for your first month, plus herb cards and a problem-fixer page.
Our pruning guide covers where to cut, when to start and how often:
How to prune and harvest basil
Thanks for growing with us. Happy harvesting!