Almost everyone loves to eat fresh basil and some people have a
hard time growing it. Basil can be a finicky little plant in the changeable weather that is
Spring. Don’t let the Basil get the
better of you with these simple tips.
If you are planning your Spring garden, here is a Beginner’s Guide to Growing Basil to help you out.
If you are planning your Spring garden, here is a Beginner’s Guide to Growing Basil to help you out.
SEEDS OR TRANSPLANTS
Beginners, don’t even think about growing basil from seed. If you do, just wait
for the frustration to come out after two weeks. You will be SO excited to see
the little guys sprout up and then you will wait, and wait, and wait for them
to grow bigger. You will keep waiting. It won’t happen. Basil seeds are susceptible
to a fungus on the soil that stunts their growth. It is due to poor air
circulation and not keeping the soil’s water level maintained. If you are experienced
with starting plants from seed you will be okay, but if you are new, just go over
to the nursery or local plant sale and pick out 1-2 basil plants in different
varieties. Unless you plan on freezing and drying basil, a 6-pack of basil will
produce too much.
Purple basils have a smaller more compact habit and take up less
space, yet taste the same as sweet basil, so try them if your space is
limited. Lemon basil has a distinctive
flavor and many uses in cooking. If you
have never tried it, you should take the plunge. Sweet basil comes in many varieties. If pesto is your aim try Genovese or Napaletano.
For those wanting to try a basil tea, cinnamon, tulsi (holy,) or thai basil
have unique flavors that are great for food or beverages.
Purple Basil |
ADVICE AND INFO
Basil is a heat lover and a cold hater.
Make sure your plants are hardened off before you leave them out
overnight. This means introducing them
to the outdoors one hour or two a day for about a week then moving up the time
until they stay out an entire day. Keep
them shaded for that transition period.
Once they are ready to stay outside, you still need to protect them (I
bring them back indoors) if the temps dip into the 40s (Fahrenheit) at night. The leaves will turn black if they get too
cold and this can kill a young seedling.
Basil is a heavy nutrient user. If growing them in a container,
you will need at least a one gallon container for them
to spread out in and you will need to feed them every month. When growing in the ground you may still need
to feed them.
Since basil plants produce edible leaves, they need more nitrogen, making blood meal the perfect soil amendment (this
is available at your local home and garden center.) Basil also needs a lot of
water. It can handle the soil drying out in between waterings, but it really
likes to be moist if possible. Basil is also a sun
worshipper – give your plant at
least 6-8 hours of bright sunlight a day.
HARVESTING AND USING
Harvested Basil |
You can start to harvest basil as early as 3-4 weeks after it has been able to stay out overnight, or once the plant is taller than six inches. Gently pinch all the way down the stem to the union of the next leaf set. You want to remove that stem so that new leaves will grow from that point. Pinch off as much as you need at the time or harvest full stems for freezing and drying.
Pinching out the center above two branching leaves. |
Always remove the
flowers the minute that they emerge, especially in the early season. If you don’t, the leaves diminish in size and
flavor as the plant sends energy to make seed.
Flowering Sweet Basil |
Once the weather man predicts an overnight temp less than 45
degrees F, cut down the last of your basil and dry it or preserve it for winter
use. I have several posts on making pastes and pesto with basil, that you can
check out once you have enough harvest.
Most important harvest your basil often. If you just let it grow, you will not get a
bushy plant but a single stalk that will flower early and get top heavy, so
pinch and enjoy your basil as soon as it is ready!
Holy (Tulsi) Basil |
Pesto and Pastes for Preserving Basil
Pesto Basils
Making Frozen Paste Ice Cubes
Making Pastes and Pesto
Pesto Basils
Making Frozen Paste Ice Cubes
Making Pastes and Pesto
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