ARTICLE:
GROWING YOUR OWN BASIL
Basic Information on Basil
Grow your own basil plants using Sand
Mountain Herb's basil seed. With lots of variety, you are sure to find the right
basil plant seed to grow for your herb garden! Culinarily, whether
making basil pesto, tomato basil soup, or simply adding it to your
favorite meat, growing basil is sure to please you and your family with the rich
flavorful taste that only fresh basil can bring! First of all, you need to
decide what kind of Basil you want to grow. There are lots to choose from
from the Anise Basil of this webpage to others like Sweet Basil,
Cinnamon Basil,
Lemon Basil,
Lime Basil, Mammoth
Basil, Sacred Green Basil,
Sacred
Purple
Basil.
Growing basil seed
Basil is very easy to grow and really enjoys the
summer heat. The basil seeds should sprout readily. Many
people start the seed indoors in a seed starter kit 6-8 weeks prior to growing
season, which is fine, but do not let the soil stay too wet, just moist, so that
the basil seedlings will not dampen off. Propagation is easiest by sowing seeds
directly into the ground where they are to be grown after danger of spring
frosts. Sow evenly, covering with 1/4" of soil and keep moist and free of weeds.
Germination generally begins 5-7 days. Once basil seedlings have developed 2-3
pairs of leaves, they should be thinned or transplanted to stand 6"-12" apart.
Basil requires a sunny location receiving at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
per day. It is a good idea to keep in average soil that is soil well drained
soil conditions with average PH
Cultivating Basil Plants
A 2"-3" mulch consisting of grass clippings, straw
or ground up leaves will be beneficial in retaining soil moisture and minimizing
weeds around the plants during the growing season.
Depending on the amount of regular rainfall, water deeply once every 7-10 days
to insure the roots are receiving adequate moisture. Plants grown in containers
will dry out faster than those in garden beds and therefore will have to be
watered more frequently. Choose container with holes in the bottom for proper
drainage.
Fertilize sparingly, using a 5-10-5 commercial fertilizer once or twice during
the growing season at the rate of 3 oz. per every 10 ft. of row. Use a liquid
fertilizer at one half the label recommended strength every 4-6 weeks or so for
indoor plants and every 3-4 weeks for basil grown outside in containers.
Harvesting Basil & Other Basil
Benefits
Begin harvesting at any time by snipping the fresh
young leaves as they are needed. If whole stems are being harvested, cut just
above a pair of leaves. New growth will be encouraged at that point and should
be seen within a week's time. From a culinary use perspective, it is important
to prune the plant periodically through the growing season to maintain succulent
and productive growth. Otherwise, if basil is left alone to flower and form
seed, it will become woody and harvest yields will be considerably less.
However, some of the flowers do have ornamental value, such as
Sacred
Purple Basil & have bee attracting qualities.
Other Keywords:
anise basil, basil recipe, basil plant, tomato basil, basil leaf, basil
pesto recipe, basil seed, fresh basil, basil oil, growing basil, basil product,
la madeleine tomato basil soup, basil herb, tomato basil bisque, basil picture,
chicken basil, basil health, basil soup tomatoe, basil chicken recipe, basil
sauce tomato, basil flower, tomato basil pasta, basil creamy soup tomato, basil
grow, basil information,
Scientific Name: Ocimum basilicum
For full list visit
our
Hi,
this is Larry Chandler. Owner of Sand Mountain Herbs. How would you like to
I promise your email address will never be sold or given to any third party.