Learn how to grow basil without breaking a sweat! Basil or Ocimum basilicum is one of the well-loved culinary herbs among cooks and chefs and should be at the top of your list of organic vegetables and fresh herbs to grow. Growing basil is really easy and can be one of the simplest tasks to do in your garden. This basil growing guide will make sure you’ve got enough basil leaves to use for your favorite healthy recipes. Follow these 6 easy and simple steps to grow basil in your backyard!
How to Grow Basil | A Step by Step Guide
Step 1: Plenty of Sunlight
Keep the plant somewhere with warmth and sunshine. Avoid cold temperatures. A basil plant is easy to grow and won’t take up much space in your backyard herb garden. Growing herbs in a pot with a good potting soil are enough but always remember to place your basil plants in an area with ample sunlight—a south-facing side in the garden would be great. The more sun your basil plants get, the happier your plants will be.
Step 2: Water It
Use a watertight container to water plant from the bottom. Your plant will absorb the water from the roots. Don’t be indulgent in watering your basil plant, though. Once a day is enough for basil plants. The key is to water the plant in the morning to give the plant enough time to soak up all the water while the sun is still up. That way you don’t have to worry about your plant being drowned.
Step 3: Don’t Overcrowd Basil Plants
Use a container that allows your plant to breathe. Airflow prevents fungus. Allow 6-8 inches between plants. Basil is a very versatile herb plant. You can place basil plants in almost any container you can think of. The trick is to find pots and a good potting mix where the plant can breathe. This is why well-drained soil is also important when growing basil.
Step 4: Don’t Let It Drown
Water once or twice a week. Do it in the morning so the plant soaks it up in the sunlight. A basil plant’s roots can be pretty sensitive to water. It just doesn’t adjust well to excess soil moisture and wet roots. Solve this by placing enough holes in your plant pot. Also, make sure to pick well-drained soil or pots with drainage.
Step 5: Harvest
Remove from the stem situated above a pair of leaves so the plant grows faster. Harvest basil leaves from your plant regularly for it to grow fuller and more abundantly. Do this properly and you’ll find your basil plant growing faster than ever.
Step 6: Eliminate Flowers
Flowers soak up the plant’s flavor that’s why you getting rid of your basil plant’s flowers is also very important. Your basil leaves will get its flavor back in no time. It might only take a day or two.
Bonus Tip:
Be wary of cold temperatures. Basil plants are notoriously weak in cold temperatures. More so for tropical basil varieties like Thai basil. Unfortunately, lemon basil, sweet basil, purple basil, cinnamon basil, Genovese basil, or holy basil might not also survive a light frost. It’s best to check your local temperature before placing your fresh basil plant outdoor.
Thinking of growing basil soon? You’re on your way now that you know basil plants won’t take up too much garden space or too much of your time. It’s one of the reasons why it’s one of the most-loved herbs for cooking and growing. Whether growing basil indoors or growing basil outdoors in an herb garden, growing your own basil seems to be trending. Don’t be left behind and grow yourself a pot or two for a fresh herb supply!
Do you have more tips on how to grow basil? Share them with us in the comments section below!
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Editor’s Note – This post was originally published on September 7, 2017 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
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