Basil is well known to connoisseurs of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine – it is the basis of pesto sauce, and it is difficult to do without this product in many pizza recipes and various salads.
In our country it has been successfully used for a long time now. grown in summer cottages alongside familiar childhood crops native to our climate zone. It has earned its well-deserved popularity in our region thanks to three main advantages: it provides significant health benefits, is relatively easy to grow, and can also serve as a striking interior decoration.
In fact, basil originates from Asia, from where it was brought to Europe. Both the leaves and seeds of this spice are also widely used in Asian cuisine.
Basil is easy grow in an apartment, in the kitchen, or on a warm balcony. This is a relatively easy-to-grow plant compared to other herbs. After planting in a pot, at temperatures above 10ºC (50ºF), the seeds germinate well and sprout.
The seedlings grow into small herbaceous plants that produce many leaves and may flower in late summer.
Basil plants wilt quickly in hot weather, especially when placed in direct sunlight on a windowsill or balcony, but they easily regain their moisture balance after watering. This is why you can safely leave basil pots out while you're away or on vacation; simply move them to a shady location and water them thoroughly beforehand.
By regularly picking leaves for edible use, you can watch how quickly new ones grow. Thus, basil plants in an apartment serve two purposes: as a herb and as an ornamental plant. The stems continually grow in length, with beautiful new leaves appearing at the top, making basil a beautiful plant in pots on a balcony or terrace.
We are familiar with two varieties: purple basil, which has a more intense aroma, and green basil, which has a more subtle scent. As a result of cross-pollination, when growing green basil from seed, for example, you may suddenly notice that some of the leaves turn purple, making them even more interesting as a decorative plant.
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Like any spice, basil has a number of beneficial properties and stimulates metabolism. It contains essential oils, which provide its distinctive aroma, vitamins, carotene, and rutin.
Basil has been used as a medicinal plant since ancient times. It is beneficial for gastrointestinal and nervous system disorders. It is contraindicated for pregnant women, those with cardiovascular disease, and those with diabetes.
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
Basil: Growing from seeds in open ground