Learning how to grow Basil will be beneficial to anyone who loves to cook as it has many uses in a variety of recipes beyond the Italian dishes we most associate it with.
As long as you have good light and the right temperature, growing basil is very easy to do. You can grow basil easily from seeds, or purchase an "herb kit" with everything you need. However, a packaged kit isn't necessary; all you needs are basil seeds and some fertile 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.
The best time to sow the seeds directly to the ground is when there are no more threats of frost. If you want, you can sow the seeds thinly to avoid overcrowding later on. If you choose to sow in pots, put enough seeds in each pot and then you can thin out the weaklings later on. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and water regularly.
If you are just learning how to grow basil, keep in mind that the plants will need six to eight hours of sun each day. Indoors the plant should be placed in a sunny window and outdoors you need to make sure the plant has sun for the majority of the day but that it is also kept away from the wind.
Basil plants need to be watered two or three times a week. They also need to be fertilized each month. Try to keep the water at the base of the plant because if they get on the leaves it allows fungi to set in.
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.
About the Author:
For more gardening tips including a video on growing basil, please visit http://www.gardening-ez.com/howtogrowbasil.php.
No comments:
Post a Comment