Growing Basil

Basil is a perennial herb native to southern parts of Asia. The scientific name of this plant is Ocimum basilicum and it is found in more than 160 different varieties. It belongs to the mint family and is well-known for its aromatic leaves. It is a very popular culinary herb and is used in salads, sandwiches and various Italian dishes. Basil can be grown outdoors in the garden as well as indoors. However, growing basil outdoors is easier as compared to indoors.

How to Grow Basil from Seeds?

The best time for planting basil seeds is end of March to May, once the last spring frost is over. It can be sown in any time of the year if it is kept indoors. The main steps are given below:

Selecting a Location
Basil plant should be positioned in one such location of the garden where it can receive at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. Basil cannot tolerate cold winds and hence, its position should be such that it is not exposed to cold winds.

Soil Preparation
Basil requires a good soil condition for the growth and development of the plants. The soil should be fertile and well-drained. The ideal pH range of the soil is 6.0 - 7.5. The soil preparation should start one month before planting the seeds. Firstly, dig up the soil thoroughly in order to improve air circulation and remove all the weeds from it. Then start adding organic compost or manure to the soil. When you are growing basil in containers, add a layer of gravel first and then put the soil. This is done to improve drainage.

Sowing Seeds
During sowing of the seeds, both the soil and the compost should be in a well-moist condition. So, water the soil generously before sowing. Start sowing the seeds directly into the soil and cover them with one-fourth inch of soil. The seeds should be evenly placed in the garden. Usually, basil seeds take about one week to germinate.

Adding Mulch
Add organic mulch consisting of ground-up leaves, straw and compost around the basil plants. Make sure that its thickness is of two to three inches. This is done to prevent any growth of weeds on the soil. It also help the soil to retain moisture.

Watering
Basil plants should be watered after a gap of every 7 to 10 days but those grown in pots need more frequent watering. While watering the plant, take care that the water is given to the root or the base of the plant and not the leaves and stems.

Fertilizing
Basil does not require much fertilizing. A liquid commercial fertilizer is applied after diluting it to half its strength after an interval of four to six weeks. Fertilizer should be given to container plants once in a month.

Plant Care
Caring for a Basil plant is quite easy. When the seedlings grow up to the height of 6 inches, chop off the top of the basil plant. This will promote growth of new leaves. As soon as you see any flowers appear on the plant, pinch it out. Thus you can retain flavor of the leaves and prevent the plant from getting woody.

Harvesting
Usually, basil does not require pruning as you pick leaves regularly as and when required for culinary use. Do not pick all the leaves at a time. Cut single leaves which are at the top. If you want to cut an entire stem, then cut it above one pair of leaves near its base. This way you can encourage new stem growth in that area. Outdoor basil plants have to be brought indoors before the onset of fall frost.

Hope you have got a fair amount of idea on how to grow basil outdoors. If you want to know about planting basil indoors, then let me tell you that the process is all the same. The only difference is that its demand for water and fertilizer is slightly higher. The best part of growing basil at home is that you can get fresh leaves for seasoning foods.