Secrets to growing healthy basil at home

Basil

Growing basil in a garden requires special attention from the owner if he or she wants to reap a good harvest, rather than wilted greenery that will grow with little or no care.

Soil for growing basil

Growing the plant requires favorable and well-cultivated soil, which means that you will need to work to create the right conditions for growing basil.

Note!

It should be planted in a warm location sheltered from wind and drafts. Basil prefers light, sandy loam soils that are well-fertilized with organic fertilizer.

The best predecessors for basil in garden beds are legumes, potatoes, tomatoes, and cucumbers, as they require a consistent supply of organic matter. Soil preparation for growing basil outdoors should begin in the fall, with the beds thoroughly tilled and fertilized.

In this case, the shovel is deepened by 25 cm, almost to the depth of a bayonet, and about 5 kg of compost, 25 g of superphosphate and about 15 g of potassium salt are added to fertilize the soil.

Note!

If you are growing plants on heavy soils, such as clay and loam, then it is necessary to form proper beds during the autumn season, which should be thoroughly hoeed with the arrival of spring.

Propagation of plants using seedlings

Growing basil from seedlings is a fairly common solution for quickly growing and harvesting basil. Seedlings are sown in late March or early April, at a depth of 1 cm.

To speed up the sprouting process, the temperature must be maintained at 27 degrees Celsius for approximately 10 days. Then, transplant the sprouts into small containers.

These containers with seedlings are placed in a greenhouse, where they are fertilized and hardened off. During the first leaf stage, mineral fertilizers should be applied, but only if the seedlings are not growing well.

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Note!

Around June, when the risk of night frosts has passed, basil should be transplanted into open ground. They are planted in rows in the beds, with a 3 cm gap between rows and a 25 cm gap between basil plants.

They are transplanted into small holes up to 8 cm deep, and before placing the young plant there, about a liter of water should be poured in.

Plant it in a container, but position it so that the main bud and young leaves remain at ground level. While the basil is establishing itself, water it regularly, and after this stage, water only when necessary.