Learning How To Grow Basil Both Indoors And Out
Jul 30th, 2008 by Lee Dobbins
Basil is a useful ingredient in many Italian recipes as well as in salads, on sandwiches and in casseroles. So, it stands to reason that learning how to grow basil is a surefire way to ensure you always have a fresh supply to use in your cooking.
It is simple to grow basil given the correct temperature and level of sunlight. You can purchase pre-assembled kits that contain all you need to grow basil, but you don’t really need them. All you need is some basil seeds and some good growing soil.
Drainage is important for potted basil plants, so keep this in mind when you select a pot for the plant. The pot should either have a large hole in the bottom or you can place coarse gravel in the bottom of the pot to promote drainage.
Keep in mind that basil will not survive a frost if you are planting it outside. The seeds are small, but most will sprout and the seedlings can be thinned out later if needed so don’t be afraid to plant several in one pot. If you are using a container, sprinkle the seeds lightly with soil and water with a spray bottle.
Sunlight requirements are pretty important when learning how to grow basil. This herb needs 6 – 8 hours of sunlight a day. If you are growing your basil indoors, place the pot in a sunny location. When growing basil in your garden, select a spot where it will get sun for most of the day but will also be sheltered from strong wind.
Ideally basil plants should be watered a couple of times a week and apply fertilizer once in a month. Water directly to the soil so as to avoid splashing water on the leaves as this can encourage fungal growth and disease.
Pinch off any flowers growing on the plant to get the best possible flavor from the leaves. This allows the plant to use all its energy and resources to produce beautiful, more flavorful leaves.
The advantage of learning to grow basil is that you will be able to constantly have the fresh herb for use at any time you wish. You can grow it all year round by planting it in containers inside your house. It’s a good idea to have several plants on hand at one time, perhaps even growing several varieties of basil. Harvest the leaves at the top of the plant whenever you wish to use them and your plants should be productive for many years.