The Basics of Growing Basil

Basil... many people love it and here's why you should too:

• It's one of the oldest herbs in the world
• It's favored in cooking
• It has been used in medicine
• It drives bugs away (i.e. it's poisonous to mosquitoes)
• It's so revered, it's even used in religious ceremonies

In addition to all that, growing basil is especially rewarding for those who are just starting out with gardening because it is super easy to grow when you apply a few basics. Basil can be easily grown outside in warm weather months or indoors in planters any time of year. So, let's get started with the basics...

When growing basil outside, make sure that the air is warm before you decide to plant or sow seed; basil loves hot and very much dislikes cold. The basil plant will do best when the afternoon temps reach at least seventy degrees (f) and the evening temps should get no lower than fifty degrees. The herb really should get 6-8 or even more hours of direct sunlight a day. It is also essential that your soil have good drainage.

When planting (or sowing) basil seeds, just drop a couple seeds every inch or so along your soil. Lightly pat them down. Doing so provides good contact with the dirt. This will help guarantee that germination occurs. Cover the seeds using ¼ inch of good soil and make sure the soil is watered. Keep your dirt moist, however not too wet, until the seedlings start to break through. You should see signs of life within a few days.

As for thinning your seedlings, you can do this when the plants have two pairs of true leaves. It is recommended that basil plants be planted at least twelve inches apart, so thin out the weak ones. When growing basil indoors, seeds are often planted about three weeks early, right before the hot weather comes.

If you plan on fertilizing, you should do that before planting or at the start of spring just when growth starts. Herbs should only be fed once a season and when doing this make sure to use a complete fertilizer. The plant food you find in the store that is meant for gardens you should apply at half-strength. Also, apply it, not on the leaves directly but, at the base of the plant.

A basil plant needs to be watered as often as it will allow without causing a problem of standing water. Keep in mind though, if you water too often the roots will not develop as far into the earth. So, if a drought comes they will not be as resilient to dryness. When watering, apply water at the base of the herb and not on the leaves themselves.

Basil plants should be pruned during the entire season for several reasons. First, pruning will help control the shape of the plant. Secondly, if you prune the buds of the flowers immediately you can keep the plant from entering the flowering process. When the basil plant starts to flower the leaves start turning bitter and the herb will stop creating new leaves. To prune your plant, cut the stems right above a set of leaves. You can do this any time after the plant grows to 3+ inches in height.

By using these easy guidelines you will certainly know how to grow basil outdoors. For more information, there are some other excellent sites about growing basil and information about it's uses and history.