Is it safe to eat basil with holes in the leaf?

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MN_brown Minneapolis, MN(Zone 4a) Jul 15, 2009

I have a few basil plants that look healthy save for the holes in the leaf. The tomato plant that is the same pot also has some holes in a few leaves but is bearing fruit and acting normally. So I am not even sure if it is a disease.

But I want to make sure it is ok to eat basil leaves with holes in it. I have holes on sweet basil and purple basil plants. Somehow my Minette basil and cinnamon basil that are in nearby pots have been spared.

Attached is a picture of a leaf. Most of the leaves look like someone has taken a pin and punched multiple holes in it. This particular leaf also has a big hole.

Thumbnail by MN_brown
Post #6822551
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Gymgirl SE Houston (Hobby), TX(Zone 9a) Jul 15, 2009

MNBrown,
Wash it off really good and go for it! I'd eat it.

I'd be more concerned with what's causing the splotching on the leaf. With all this talk about Early and Late Blight, keep an eye on the stems of that tomato plant. If you see any lesions on the stem, or grey patches on your tomatoes, pull it quickly before it infects all your other tomatoes.

Read up no the Late Blight articles in the tomatoes forum, too.

Linda

Post #6822686
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MN_brown Minneapolis, MN(Zone 4a) Jul 15, 2009

I just checked my tomato plant but I don't see any lesions or grey patches. Other than a few yellowing leaves and these holes on some of the leaves, the plant looks healthy.
But thanks for the tip. I will keep my eyes open for them.

Post #6823282
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MN_brown Minneapolis, MN(Zone 4a) Jul 15, 2009

I googled and found that it could be beetles per the uconn extension site:http://www.hort.uconn.edu/Ipm/greenhs/htms/herbmnltables.pdf

Post #6823345
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Gymgirl SE Houston (Hobby), TX(Zone 9a) Jul 15, 2009

Great! You can still eat it!

Post #6823363
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