Basil is known as an herb that is certainly well loved by many individuals.
Once you learn about it you may fall in love with it as well. It is
among the oldest herbs in the world. Various cultures use it for
cooking. It has many uses in the area of medicine. People have even used
the scent for making soaps and candles. In addition to all that,
growing basil is especially rewarding for those who are just starting
out with gardening because it is uncomplicated to grow when you apply a
few basics. You can grow basil indoors or outdoors. If you grow indoors
you can do so all year long.
Make sure the weather is warm before attempting to grow basil outside. Basil loves warm weather and does not do well in cold weather. Before growing, make sure the weather stays above fifty degrees at night. Make sure the plant gets plenty of sunlight every day. It does not like shade. It is also essential that your soil have good drainage.
To start the plant from seed just put a small amount of seeds randomly on the soil. Ensure the seeds make contact with the soil. Good contact with the soil will cause the germination process to start. Use a little bit of soil to lightly cover the seeds. Water the soil well. Keep your dirt moist, however not too wet, until the seedlings appear. It will take several days for germination to occur.
The plants will need to be thinned after a set or two of leaves appear. Make sure the plants are thinned to be 6 to 12 inches apart. Several weeks before the last frost you can start sowing basil indoors.
A basil plant needs to be watered as often as it will allow without causing standing water. Keep in mind though, if you water too often the roots will not develop as far into the earth and if a drought comes they will not be as resilient. When watering, apply water at the base of the herb and not on the leaves themselves.
If you are intending to use fertilizer you should do that before planting or at the start of the growing season. Herbs should only be fertilized once a season and when doing so, be sure to use a complete fertilizer. Your typical garden fertilizers should be fine but if you are consuming the herb you will want to use it at half normal strength. Also, do not apply it on the leaves directly, but at the base of the plant.
Pruning should occur as often as the herb is needed for cooking or weekly. You can alter the shape of the herb by pruning it in certain ways. Pruning the plant will keep it from entering the flowering stage. When the basil plant begins to flower the leaves start turning bitter and the herb will stop creating new leaves. Pruning a basil plant is simple. Just nip off a stem above a pair of leaves. Once the plant grows several inches it can be pruned. Pruning can occur after the plant is 2-4 inches in height.
Knowing how to grow basil is rewarding and with this informative guide it can be done easily.
Make sure the weather is warm before attempting to grow basil outside. Basil loves warm weather and does not do well in cold weather. Before growing, make sure the weather stays above fifty degrees at night. Make sure the plant gets plenty of sunlight every day. It does not like shade. It is also essential that your soil have good drainage.
To start the plant from seed just put a small amount of seeds randomly on the soil. Ensure the seeds make contact with the soil. Good contact with the soil will cause the germination process to start. Use a little bit of soil to lightly cover the seeds. Water the soil well. Keep your dirt moist, however not too wet, until the seedlings appear. It will take several days for germination to occur.
The plants will need to be thinned after a set or two of leaves appear. Make sure the plants are thinned to be 6 to 12 inches apart. Several weeks before the last frost you can start sowing basil indoors.
A basil plant needs to be watered as often as it will allow without causing standing water. Keep in mind though, if you water too often the roots will not develop as far into the earth and if a drought comes they will not be as resilient. When watering, apply water at the base of the herb and not on the leaves themselves.
If you are intending to use fertilizer you should do that before planting or at the start of the growing season. Herbs should only be fertilized once a season and when doing so, be sure to use a complete fertilizer. Your typical garden fertilizers should be fine but if you are consuming the herb you will want to use it at half normal strength. Also, do not apply it on the leaves directly, but at the base of the plant.
Pruning should occur as often as the herb is needed for cooking or weekly. You can alter the shape of the herb by pruning it in certain ways. Pruning the plant will keep it from entering the flowering stage. When the basil plant begins to flower the leaves start turning bitter and the herb will stop creating new leaves. Pruning a basil plant is simple. Just nip off a stem above a pair of leaves. Once the plant grows several inches it can be pruned. Pruning can occur after the plant is 2-4 inches in height.
Knowing how to grow basil is rewarding and with this informative guide it can be done easily.
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For more tips on sowing basil seeds outdoors and other articles on how to grow basil indoors, please check out these highly recommended links. Happy growing and good luck!
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