Basil has many varieties. It's easy to grow and turns ordinary dishes into delicacies! Fresh basil doesn't just taste better than dried basil, it also tastes really "different", as if the two versions weren't the same plant. This article tells you how to grow and harvest it.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Starting with the Seeds
Step 1. Choose the basil you want to grow
There are different varieties, each with different scents and aromas. Read on and pick one (or more) that appeals to you so you can buy the right kind of seed. Here are some ideas:
- Cinnamon basil truly smells like spice, and also possesses beautiful fragrant flowers.
- Lemon basil contains citral, an aromatic compound also present in lemon … and smells just like lemon.
- Purple basil is often grown as an ornament, as well as for its scent and flowers.
- There are also perennial basil plants, such as African blue (which has blue veins on the leaves) and Thai; others, on the other hand, are annual varieties and it will be necessary to sow them from time to time, every year.
- Some types of basil, such as Greek basil, are much more difficult to grow, but they form neat little bushes.
Step 2. Sprout the seeds indoors about 4-6 weeks before the last frost
Basil needs heat and sun to grow well, so germinating indoors is easier to avoid the risks of cold.
- If you live in a warm climate, you can start right outside.
- To find out when the last frost will be, consult an almanac or ask the gardeners in your area.
Step 3. Prepare the containers
Fill flat containers (or individual pots) with an equal parts mixture of perlite, vermiculite, and peat. Squeeze the mixture lightly to eliminate air pockets. Moisten the soil with water to prepare a good environment for the seeds to germinate.
Step 4. Plant the seeds
Drop a seed or two into each container and cover them with a light layer of potting soil. Use cling film to seal the container and trap moisture. Display them near a sunny window. Twice a day remove the foil and sprinkle a little water.
Step 5. Remove the plastic film at the first shoots
Keep watering twice a day and never let the soil dry out. When the seedlings are about 5cm tall, they are ready to be transplanted into a larger container.
Part 2 of 3: Caring for Basil
Step 1. Transfer the seedlings
When two pairs of leaflets have grown, you can move the basil to the garden or to larger pots. This plant does not tolerate frost, so don't do this too early. It is best to place the basil in a spot where it can receive a lot of sun and has well-draining soil available.
- To plant basil in the garden, drill holes 15 cm apart. Root into the holes and cover them with soil up to the stem. Pad to compact the soil and eliminate air pockets.
- If you want to put basil in larger pots, make sure they are large enough to accommodate the seedlings as they grow, they need to be spaced 15 cm apart.
Step 2. Keep the soil moist by not getting too drenched
Basil grows best in well-draining soils and shouldn't stay in standing water. Wet the mature seedlings once a day, in the morning, so the water has time to evaporate rather than letting the roots soak overnight.
Step 3. Remove the gems
When you see the first flower buds, remove them along with the two pairs of leaves underneath them. Flowering generates a hormone that changes and reduces the aroma of basil as well as the quantity of leaves. This "pruning" must be done especially when there is a lot of sun. If you let the flowers grow, the plant will become thin and the leaves will not be rich in flavor.
Step 4. Watch out for molds and pests
Basil is a delight for the Japanese beetle; the best way to control this insect is to manually remove it from plants. If the basil shows mold, it probably isn't getting enough sunlight, or the plants are too close together. Pull out smaller plants to let the stronger ones have more space.
Part 3 of 3: Collect and Use Basil
Step 1. Harvest and prune
When the plant is mature, remove the pairs of leaflets on the top if the stem has reached a reasonable height. If you look closely, at the base of each leaf there are other small leaflets that grow outward if the stem has been cut. Cut neatly close to these leaves without damaging them.
- This encourages the plant to focus its energies on growing a stout stem and leaves. It also allows the basil to form a "bush".
- Do not detach the lower part of the stem, otherwise the plant will grow tall and slender. You want the basil to be a bush, so prune from above.
Step 2. Enjoy fresh basil
Rinse the leaves and make a pesto or a caprese salad with tomato and mozzarella.
Step 3. Store the excess in the refrigerator
You will likely have more basil than you can consume fresh, so plan to store it. Wash the leaves, dry them thoroughly and wrap them in kitchen paper. Put them in airtight containers for food and then in the refrigerator.
Step 4. Freeze it
Freezing whole leaves is not a good technique, but if you mince them first, you can keep them in the freezer for months. Put them in the blender with a little water. Form a smooth, homogeneous puree that you will pour into a freezer bag. Freeze until ready to use.
Advice
- If the shoots appear tall and thin, they are probably not getting enough light.
- When planting in the open field, be sure to keep the soil surface moist. The general rules on irrigation focus on moisture in depth, but the seeds have no roots and can suffer from sun exposure for even a few hours.
- Basil can be sown in the open field. In case you don't have much patience, you can choose one of the fastest growing varieties, such as lemon basil. On the other hand, all varieties have such a speed of growth that they can reach production even without a rocket start.
- Wet the seedlings gently, twice a day and with lukewarm water as soon as they are strengthened.
- When planted in combination, basil improves the taste of tomatoes and peppers; in addition, it acts as a repellent for worms and aphids.
Warnings
- When watering basil, avoid wetting the leaves as well, unless you are doing foliar fertilization, as it could burn.
- When moving the seedlings from inside to the garden, be sure to gradually do so towards the light, avoiding shock from overexposure.
- Don't overlook the possibility of choosing from one of the many varieties, looking for the most fun or useful for you.
