Basil is an easy herb to grow.
People have use basil for centuries for culinary, medicinal and ornamental purposes. While basil is native to India, it is loved all over the world. Its flavor is common among Thai, Mexican, and Italian cuisine. It is also used as a digestive aid and as a treatment for nausea and vomiting. With over 40 varieties, it is easy to grow a basil that suits your purpose. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Select and purchase your basil seeds. All basil seeds are not the same and will produce leaves of different sizes and flavors. Lettuce Leaf Basil has large leaves and a sweet flavor, while Opal Basil is used for ornamental purposes rather than culinary. The most common variety is Sweet Basil. Reading up on different varieties and considering your purpose for growing are important when choosing seeds.
2. Test your soil using a pH meter or soil test kit. Basil thrives in a soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Most basic commercial garden soils are in this range; if you grow your basil in a container this type of soil should suffice. If you grow your basil in the ground, test your pH using a soil kit or meter. If your pH is not within the ideal range, you may need to amend your soil with compost or store-bought potting soil.
3. Sow basil seeds evenly in the ground or in your container leaving 3/8 to 1/2 in. between each seed.If growing in the ground, choose a spot where the basil will receive 6 to 8 hours of bright light each day. Cover the seeds with ¼ in. of soil. Keep the soil moist and pull out any weeds you notice. If there is still danger of frost, plant your basil indoors in peat or other pots and transport it outdoors after the last frost. Basil seeds should germinate in five to seven days.
4. Thin your basil seedlings once they develop two to three pairs of leaves. Pull out any weak plants and leave 6 to 12 inches of space between each plant. After germination, keep the basil plants warm, around 70 degrees.
5. Water your basil plants deeply every 7 to 10 days. Do not simply sprinkle the surface. Water at the ground level to make sure the roots get enough water. If you are growing in a container, the soil will dry out faster so you will need to water the plants more often. You can also place a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch over the plants to help them retain water.
6. Fertilize basil once or twice per season using a 5-10-5 commercial fertilizer. Use 3 oz. of fertilizer for every 10 feet of soil. You can also use a liquid fertilizer every 3 to 4 weeks, but dilute it to half strength. Beware of over-fertilizing as it can reduce the oils in the basil plants and decrease their flavor.
7. Prune basil plants throughout the season. This will help the plant to continue to produce leaves. Unpruned basil that flowers yields substantially less than basil that is pruned. When you harvest your plants for use, cut off the plant above a pair of leaves to encourage new growth.
Tags: your basil, basil plants, basil seeds, basil that, between each