Today we're exploring basil: growing it from seed outdoors, exploring the beneficial properties of this herb, learning how to grow it from seedlings, and how to have wonderful fresh basil leaves on your windowsill all winter long.
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How to grow basil at home from seeds
This herb is quite heat-loving, and many complain that they sowed the seeds alongside lettuce and radishes, but nothing sprouted. This is understandable—the temperature at which lettuce and radishes germinate is too low for basil; it won't germinate in cold soil and air temperatures below 25 degrees Celsius. Therefore, if you want to grow basil directly from seed, you need to sow it as early as June; only then will it germinate well and reward you with an excellent harvest. To ensure a productive harvest and good growth, fertilize the soil and water it adequately (but don't overwater, or the plants will rot). It absolutely needs a sunny, open location—in the shade, basil will grow thin and pale, and you won't get a harvest.
Basil - growing seedlings
The best way to get nice, succulent basil bushes and a harvest of fresh basil is to grow them as seedlings and then transplant them into the ground. This is a more guaranteed way to get the desired harvest of this spice. To do this, prepare boxes with potting mix in March and sow the seeds in furrows spaced 5 cm apart. Cover the seeds with 1 cm of soil, water with a spray bottle, and cover with plastic wrap. Once the seedlings emerge—and if everything is going well, they should appear as early as 11-12 days—remove the plastic wrap.
The growing temperature should be up to 25°C (77°F) during the day until the sprouts emerge, and up to 18°C (64°F) at night. Once the sprouts emerge, reduce the temperature by 5-6°C (5-6°F). During the first month, it's advisable to provide additional lighting to the seedlings, otherwise they may become leggy. If you planted the plants in boxes, when the first true leaf appears, they should be pricked out—replanted individually into cups. Fertilize them after a week. A suitable solution is: 2 g of ammonium nitrate, 4 g of superphosphate, and 3-4 g of wood ash per liter of water. Repeat the fertilizing after another two weeks.
Once the plant produces 5-6 leaves, it's ready to be transplanted into the ground outside. This will take about 1.5 months from planting the seeds, depending on your weather. By this time, the weather should be completely warm outside, with no frosts expected. If you're growing garlic, consider... Why does garlic turn yellow in spring? What should I do?.
Planting seedlings in the ground
The soil for basil should be prepared: fertilize it, and choose a bright, sunny spot. Make holes for planting, spacing the plants at least 25 cm apart. Leave up to 40-50 cm between rows; basil thrives on space and air circulation. It's best if the bed previously contained beans or tomatoes; a spot after potatoes or cucumbers is also suitable. Incidentally, basil should be planted near plants you want to protect from aphids and other pests—it will do just fine, standing guard over your harvest like a wall.
After a week, feed the plants with ammonium nitrate, and after 10 days, add superphosphate. If the soil is very poor, add organic fertilizer to encourage the plant to develop well and produce more foliage. Pinch the tops of the plants. Also, remove flower buds promptly; otherwise, the plant will bloom and you won't be able to get any greenery from it; it will be focusing all its energy on producing flowers.
Winter storage
If you want to harvest basil seeds next year, leave a couple of plants to bloom and produce seeds. Cut the remaining leaves for storage—they can be dried and saved for the winter, or you can harvest them for food. To harvest basil for storage: as soon as you see the basil about to bloom, trim the flowers and cut the plant, leaving just a few leaves. Rinse and hang to dry, making sure the room is well-ventilated and out of direct sunlight. When the leaves begin to peel and crumble in your hands, place them in a clean jar with a lid. This way, basil can be stored safely for several years without losing its healing properties or wonderful aroma.
Basil on the windowsill
Another way to preserve this wonderful plant over the winter: as soon as the threat of frost threatens, dig up the basil plant with a lump of soil, repot it, place it on the brightest windowsill, and you'll have fragrant leaves to use in your dishes all winter long. It's great with meat, perfect for salads, and can be used in small quantities in any dish.
You can also plant basil in windowsill boxes, as we described earlier, just like seedlings, so you can always have fresh basil on hand in the winter, rather than buying dried ones from the store. Grow this wonderful herb; it's incredibly beneficial!
The benefits and harms of basil
Its beneficial properties have long been known worldwide. An infusion of the leaves is used to gargle and drink for headaches, it helps with stomach problems, stimulates digestion, and is a sure-fire remedy for those with a lack of appetite. It relieves spasms, strengthens the immune system, is good for colds, can reduce fever and inflammation, relieve stress, and alleviate insomnia.
Basil is known to help with coughs, bladder inflammation, cystitis, and prostatitis. In India, it's considered a sacred herb that rejuvenates the body and restores strength. Basil has unique antibacterial properties and contains many vitamins. However, it should be consumed in moderation to avoid harming your health. It's very potent.
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Three benefits of basil: it's easy to grow, it's good for your health, and it makes a stunning interior decoration.
Basil on the windowsill and growing it from seed from scratch