Basil is easy to grow and can turn an ordinary dish into something special! Fresh basil not only tastes better than dried basil, it's "different," almost as if it didn't come from the same plant. The following article provides an explanation of how to plant and harvest basil.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Preparing the Seeds
Step 1. Select the type of basil you want to grow
Basil has many varieties, each of which has a unique aroma and taste. Read the different types of basil and choose one - or several that appeal to you, then order or buy the seeds at a plant store. Here are some ideas for you:
- Cinnamon basil has a sweet taste and very beautiful and fragrant flowers.
- Lemon basil contains citral, an aromatic compound found in citrus fruits, and smells like lemon.
- Purple basil is usually grown as a decoration, as well as for its smell and flowers.
- There are basil varieties that last year round, such as the Blue African Basil (which has blue veins), and the Thai Basil, while most other varieties have a year's lifespan, so you should plant them annually.
- Globe and Greek basil are more difficult to grow, but can form pretty little shrubs that keep them tidy.
Step 2. Plant the seeds indoors four to six hours before planting outside
Basil needs air and sunlight to grow well, so it's often easier to plant the seeds indoors so they don't spoil.
- If when you plant basil, the weather is hot enough, then you can plant it directly outside.
- To determine the best time to plant basil seeds, check with basil growers near your home.
Step 3. Prepare the container for the seeds
Fill an even seed container with a mixture of perlite, vermiculite, and peat each in equal parts. Press the mixture to remove air pockets. Moisten the mixture with water to provide a suitable environment for basil to grow.
Step 4. Plant the seeds
Drop one or two seeds into each container. Cover with soil. Cover the container with clear plastic wrap to keep it moist. Leave this container under a window that gets sunlight. Twice a day, open the plastic cover and pour some water into the container.
Step 5. Remove the plastic cover if the plant stems start growing
When you see the first green stems growing from the ground, it's time to remove the plastic cover. Give water twice a day, do not let the soil dry out. When the plant is a few inches tall and the leaves are mature, it is time to move the plant to a larger container.
Method 2 of 3: Caring for Basil
Step 1. Move the basil plant
Once the two sets of leaves are established, the basil can be planted in a garden or permanent container. Basil can't stand too cold temperatures so don't plant it too early. It is best to place the basil where it will get enough sun and well-drained soil.
- To plant basil in the garden, dig holes at least 6 inches apart. Place the roots in the hole and apply soil around the stem. Pat the soil around the plant to remove any air pockets.
- If you want to grow basil in a container, make sure the container is large enough for the number of plants you are growing; each plant needs to be spaced at least 6 inches apart, as the basil will grow quite large.
Step 2. Keep the soil moist but not soggy
Basil grows well in well-drained soil, but should not be waterlogged. Water the mature basil plant once a day, in the morning, so the water has time to absorb and evaporate, instead of standing overnight on the plant.
Step 3. Remove the basil flower heads
If you see a flower bud has appeared, remove the flower and the two leaves that are growing underneath. Blooming flowers can create hormones that reduce the taste of the basil leaves, and reduce the number of leaves that will grow. This is known as "bolting" and occurs more often when there is too much sun. You will notice that if you allow the flowers to grow, your plant will become thinner, and the leaves will not be as numerous as before and the taste will be reduced.
Step 4. Watch for pests and fungi
Basil is a plant that attracts insects; The best way to control them is to pick them one by one from the plant by hand. If your plants show mold growth, they may be out of sunlight, or growing too close to each other. Move smaller plants to make room for larger plants.
Method 3 of 3: Harvesting and Utilizing Basil
Step 1. Harvest and prune
As the plant matures, remove the top two leaves when they are tall enough. If you pay attention, at the bottom of each leaf there are two small leaves that will grow if the stem in between is cut. Cut close to the two small leaves, but don't damage them.
- Cutting the plant encourages the plant to focus its energy on stronger stems so that the plant will grow lush.
- Don't cut off the bottom of the stem, or the basil plant will grow tall and shrill. If you want your plant to be lush, cut it from the top.
Step 2. Enjoy fresh basil
Clean the leaves and use the basil to make a pesto or Caprese salad with tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese.
Step 3. Store the basil leaves in the refrigerator
You may have too many basil leaves to eat fresh, so store them in the refrigerator. Wash the leaves, dry them and wrap them in paper. Store in an airtight food storage area.
Step 4. Freeze the basil leaves
Freezing basil leaves whole is not a good idea, but if you mash them beforehand, you can keep them frozen for up to several months. Mash the basil leaves and place them in a food storage bag and freeze until you need them.
Tips
- If the seed stalks appear tall and thin, they may lack light.
- When planting seeds directly into the garden, ensure that the soil surface is moist. Another rule besides avoiding too much water is to let the soil surface dry, but pay attention to how deep the soil is dry. The seeds don't have long roots so they can have a hard time growing in dry soil for even a few hours.
- Basil can be grown from seed directly in the garden. Since this means you don't prepare the growth beforehand, you may want to choose a fast-growing variety, such as Lemon Basil. On the other hand, all varieties of basil can grow quickly enough to be harvested immediately.
- Give water little by little twice a day with warm water until the plant is strong enough.
- When grown together with tomatoes and peppers, basil is said to enhance its taste, and repel worms and aphids.
Warning
- Do not wet the leaves when watering the basil. Unless you feed the leaves.
- When moving plants from indoors to the garden, make sure you introduce outdoor air gradually to avoid transplant shock.
- Don't miss this opportunity to choose one of the many varieties that may be most useful and enjoyable to you.
