Growing Basil – From Seed to Harvest


Basil is known as among the world’s most cherished herbs.

When you learn about it you might fall in love with it too. The herb is believed to have come from the ancient world. It is used for cooking in many cultures. Medicine men in several cultures have used it for remedies. It is known to get rid of insects and it can also be used to create candles. The basil plant is easy to grow, so it is an excellent choice for new gardeners. The herb can be grown inside in containers or pots all year long, or it could be easily grown outdoors.

When growing basil outside, make sure that the air is warm before you decide to sow seed. Do not attempt to grow basil in a cold environment. The basil plant will do best when the afternoon high temperature reaches at least seventy degrees and the evening temperature gets no lower than fifty degrees. The herb should get six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day. A garden or container that drains well will help the plant be healthy.

To start the plant from seed just put a small amount of seeds randomly on the soil. Gently pat them down. Germination occurs more easily when the seeds is in contact with the soil. Cover the seeds using a quarter-inch of good soil and make sure the soil is watered. Keep your dirt moist, however not too wet, until the seedlings appear. It will take several days for germination to occur.

The plants will need to be thinned after a set or two of leaves appear. Thin the new plants to be about a foot apart. When growing basil indoors, seeds are often planted about three weeks early, right before the hot weather comes.

Make sure to water basil often but not so much to have standing water. Watering in excess will cause the plant to rot or loose its leaves and will weaken the root system. When watering, apply water at the base of the herb and not on the leaves directly.

If you are going to use fertilizer you should do that before planting or at the outset of the growing season. Herbs should only be fertilized once a season and when doing so, make sure to use a complete fertilizer. Your typical garden fertilizers should be fine but if you are consuming the herb you will want to use it at half normal strength. Also, do not apply it on the leaves directly, but at the base of the plant.

Pruning a basil plant is good for many reasons. You can alter the shape of the herb by pruning it in certain ways. To keep the plant from flowering or reproducing you need to prune the flowers. When the basil plant starts to flower the leaves start turning bitter and the herb will stop creating new leaves. To prune your plant, cut the stems right above a pair of leaves. This can be done any time after the plant grows to 3 or more inches in height.

By using these easy guidelines you will certainly be able to grow basil.

For more tips on growing basil outdoors and other articles on basil plants, please check out these highly recommended links. Happy growing and good luck!