How to Grow Basil

Basil has long been considered the King of the Herbs, not only because of its popularity, but also because the name basileus literally means king in Greek.  Basil is native to parts of Asia and Africa. Basil has a long history of cultivation around the world and has been used as a culinary herb, aromatic herb, and ornamental herb for centuries. Basil is well known for its use in Italian cuisine. It is one of the primary ingredients in pesto sauce. Basil is also commonly included in Indonesian, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisine. This aromatic plant is used in traditional Tamil and Ayurvedic medicine, which is a form of traditional medicine popular on the Indian subcontinent.

From the shape of the leaf to the delicate fragrance. Basil is an aromatic annual plant. With about 60 varieties of this fabulous herb, you’ll find this stocky plant grows from 8 to 24 inches in height, with round or lance-shaped leaves which vary in color from green to reddish to purple. The leaves are quite fragile and lose their flavor after flowering at the tips of the stems, so it’s always best to harvest the leaves before the plant blossoms. The flavor of basil can vary with each variety, with the most popular being reminiscent of lemon, anise, clove, thyme and camphor.

Research indicates that there may be several health benefits associated with basil. Basil contains a wide range of essential oils, rich in phenolic compounds, and a wide array of other natural products including polyphenols such as flavonoids and anthocyanins. Today fresh or dried basil is a featured ingredient in pesto, soups, salads, and numerous pasta dishes.  With such a high demand for fresh or dried basil, knowing how to grow and harvest your own has many advantages. Fortunately, this popular herb is relatively easy to grow in the home garden. Basil demands only 3 things: lots of sun, lots of water and well-drained soil. While it is a thirsty plant, it does not like standing-water on its leaves. Water it at soil level. Basil is one of the easiest and most satisfying herbs to grow, for both beginning and experienced gardeners. Basil is known to attract bees and butterflies and has very aromatic foliage. It's a beautiful plant, making it an easy addition to flower beds and borders as both an ornamental and edible feature.

Basil is a fast-growing annual herb, and is definitely one of the most popular aromatic herbs grown by gardeners everywhere. It’s so easy to grow basil from seed, and you’ll have a lot more varieties to choose from than if you buy plants.

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By following my simple tips, you will enjoy growing and harvesting basil leaves to make your own pesto!

. How to Grow Basil from Seeds Indoors.

If you live in a warm climate, you can plant basil seeds directly into your garden in early spring. But if you live in a cold climate, and as basil plants won’t tolerate the cold, the seeds need warm soil to germinate. So it’s best to start basil seeds indoors. Basil seeds should be started indoors 6–8 weeks before your average last frost date.

• Fill a medium plastic pot with moist multipurpose compost.
• Basil seeds are tiny, and should only be planted 1/4″ deep. Sprinkle your seeds thinly and cover with a very fine layer of compost.
• Cover the pot with some plastic wrap to keep the soil moist and warm during germination.
• Place your pot on a warm windowsill, as basil seeds need warm soil to germinate. 
• Keep the soil moist but not too wet as the seeds can rot.

• The seedlings should begin to emerge within seven to fourteen days.
• Remove the plastic wrap as soon as you observe the young plants emerging.
• Add a seedling to grow light a few inches above the pot. Keep the light 1–2 inches above the seedlings at all times.
• Adjust the height of the light as the seedlings grow, and leave it on for 14–16 hours a day.
• Always keep the soil in your pot consistently moist, and never allow it to dry out completely. Basil seedlings don’t like to be sitting in soggy soil, though, so make sure you don’t over water them. 

The seedlings grow fast, and it’s best to transplant them in single pots, to give them plenty of room to grow and mature before it’s time to plant them into the garden.

. Hardening off Seedlings.

In order to give your basil plants the best chance of success, it is best to ‘harden them off’ prior to leaving them outside full time. About 7 days before planting your pepper plants outdoors, help acclimate them to temperatures, sunlight, and wind. This is the process of hardening off, or gradually acclimating your new plants to outdoor conditions. These plants have spent their short lives in a warm, sunny, protected place and won't fare well if you don't expose them slowly to the elements. Before you intend to plant, put your transplants outdoors in an area where they'll be protected from the direct sunlight and wind. Leave them out for a few hours and bring them back inside. Repeat this each day, gradually increasing the amount of time they're outside and the degree of exposure to sun and wind.  Gradual exposure helps your plants toughen up and reduces the possibility of injury. With proper hardening off, they’ll have an easier transition to the garden. 

Watch How To Grow Basil Video

. Planting The Seedlings in The Garden.

Basil won’t tolerate cold weather or cold soil, so make sure you wait to transplant your seedlings into your garden until the weather has warmed up. Once the soil has warmed up in the spring and all chance of frost is gone, you can plant the seedlings, spacing them 6–12 inches apart. Giving basil plants plenty of room to grow will allow for ample airflow between your plants, and help to prevent powdery mildew.

. Basil Plant Care.

• Basil plants are low maintenance, and a full-grown and healthy basil plant won’t really need any special care. The main things you need to worry about is making sure you don’t over water your basil plants. Always water from the bottom, as watering basil plants from the bottom rather than from the top helps to prevent powdery mildew.
• Basil plants aren’t heavy feeders, but like any plant, they will benefit from being fertilized. You can fertilize them with an organic liquid fertilizer as manure tea, once or twice throughout the summer. It's enough.
• You have to pinch off basil flowers as they start to grow to encourage new leaf growth, and to keep the plants bushy.

. Basil Companions.

Adding basil to your garden does more than provide a fresh supply of the tasty herb, but it's also a great companion plant for a number of vegetables and other herbs. Basil companion planting will help tomatoes, beans, beets, cabbage, peppers, potatoes, eggplant, marigolds, and oregano. 

. Harvesting Basil .

It is best to grow a number of basil plants and to harvest a few leaves from each, as heavy picking will reduce the overall yield of each. 

• It's always better to harvest basil before the plant flowers.
• Harvest leaves by pinching them from the stems, always after the young plants have reached a height of 6 to 8 inches. Pinch the leaves from the tips of the stems to encourage the plant to branch and make more leaves. 
• You have to remember to pinch out the flower heads as soon as they appear to make sure that the leaves will continue growing.
• Keep the stems pinched even if you don’t use the leaves otherwise, the plant will begin to flower and make seeds, and will stop producing leaves.

Watch How to Harvest Basil Leaves Video

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In a nutshell, growing basil is a rewarding adventure waiting to unfold. Armed with the basics, dive into the joy of cultivating this aromatic herb. So, grab your gardening tools, choose a sunny spot, and witness the magic as tiny basil seeds evolve into vibrant, flavorful plants. Whether you have a sprawling garden or a modest windowsill, basil can thrive, offering a constant supply of freshness for your culinary creations.

Enjoy the journey, relish the aroma, and savor the satisfaction of harvesting your homegrown basil. It's not just about growing a herb; it's about connecting with nature and embracing the simple pleasures of cultivating your own flavorful haven. Happy organic gardening!

Please let us know your thoughts, experiences, or questions in the comments below. If you like this, you can share with your friends!

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