Growing basil is easy if you know how to meet its needs. Once you know its light, moisture, and soil requirements, you’ll be on your way to a bountiful harvest. Here are some great tips of how you can grow loads of basil, one of the most useful and beautiful herbs you can grow.
Tips for Growing Basil
Basil is different from most herbs and needs different conditions. Basil needs a sunny, warm spot to grow. If you live in a hot climate like I do, then it may need some afternoon shade. If you live in a colder climate, you will need to start your seeds indoors and wait for the weather to warm up before moving outside. Here are some great tips to help you grow basil in your garden.
There are so many different varieties of basil, each with their own unique colour and flavour. The most common variety here in Australia is Sweet Basil. It has a lovely sweet aromatic flavour. Some other varieties that can be found are:
- Thai basil which has a distinct liquorice aroma. With narrower leaves, it is commonly used in Thai dishes.
- Holy basil has hints of mint. It can be used in cooking, as well as during Eastern religious ceremonies and festivals.
- Perennial basil is known for its distinct clove aroma. This plant has narrow leaves and lovely white-pink flowers.
- Lemon basil has a strong lemon scent and is often used in Asian dishes such as soups curries and stir fries.
- Lime basil has the zesty lime aroma. It goes well in soups, salads and in fish dishes.
- Cinnamon basil has a spicy cinnamon flavour that enhances desserts, fruits, salads and teas.
Start Growing Basil
This annual herb can be grown from seeds, cuttings or you can purchase plants from your local nursery. Before getting your basil started, prepare a garden bed ready for them to grow in. This native Mediterranean herb needs around 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day. The lean soil so many herbs prefer will not suit basil. Poor soil produces spindly, sickly plants. The soil needs to be well-draining and moist with some added manure or organic material mixed through.
The fastest way to reach the time of harvest is to invest in young plants. Though, this is usually always more expensive as well. When looking at purchasing plants, look for ones that are a rich green. They should not have roots growing out of the bottom of the pot. Plants that have formed flowering stems are past their prime and should be avoided. Once established, basil grows rapidly, so save money by purchasing the smallest size you can find.
Growing from Seed
Basil is easy to grow from seed. These seeds can either be sown directly into your prepared soil, or in a seedling tray where they are to be kept warm and moist. When they are ready to plant out in the garden, chose the strongest seedlings, and plant them out in batches of about one week apart. This helps extend the harvest time.
Seedlings grown inside will need a spot in a sunny window for sturdy growth. When growing from seeds, plant according to package directions, water, and place the container inside a plastic bag to conserve moisture. After the seedlings have appeared, gradually open the bag to expose plants to the air. If you have a plant-growing heating pad or coils, place the basil seeds on this as basil craves the heat.
Basil seedlings usually emerge in 7 – 10 days. They will be ready to start harvesting in around 3 to 4 weeks.
Growing Basil from Cuttings
Basil can also be rooted using water. Simply place the stem of a plant in a glass jar with some water. Keep an eye on the water, changing it every couple of days to keep it fresh. Roots will soon appear, and when they are stronger, the plants can be place into a pot. As it was grown inside, this plant will need hardening off.
Planting Basil Outdoors
Even in subtropical climates, basil can fail if it’s planted outdoors too early. Wait until the ground and air are thoroughly warm – about two weeks after your last frost – before putting out your plants and don’t forget to acclimatise them by gradually exposing them to the elements.
When the basil plants have around three to four sets of leaves, carefully transplant them into a well-drained location in full sun or partial shade.
Forget what you know about drought-tolerant herbs like thyme and rosemary. Basil will wilt and die if it does not get regular moisture. Water every day that it doesn’t rain for the first week, and enough to keep plants from wilting thereafter – when the soil is dry, you plant needs some water. Mulch plants to help conserve moisture.
Harvesting Basil Leaves
Once the plants reach around 4 to 6 inches in height, remove the centre set of leaves at the growing tip to encourage branching. This will result in a bushier plant.
Even if you find you don’t need any basil, consistent harvesting throughout the growing season promotes new growth.
If you allow the flower stalks to remain on the plant, basil will go to seed and begin to thin out. Pinch off the flower heads to allow your plant to continue to grow and provide basil leaves for harvesting. You can harvest as much as a third of the plant at a time, but be sure to feed the plants after heavy harvests.
If frost is on the forecast, heavily harvest your basil plants as they cannot tolerate the cold and will show signs of cold damage in this type of weather.
When around 6 to 8 inches in height, you can start harvesting the leaves. Just pinch them off or snip the stems to remove the leaves. These leaves can be used fleshed or stored in the freezer. To do this, chop up the basil and add to an ice cube tray. Fill the cubes with water or olive oil and place in the freezer. Once frozen, remove from tray and store in an airtight container in the freezer until ready to use.
Basil does not last long in the fridge as the cold air will turn the leaves brown.
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Companion Planting
Basil grows well along side parsley, chamomile, lettuce, capsicum and oregano. It is amazing when grown alongside tomatoes, they grow so much better when next to each other.
Controlling Pests
Basil plants are usually pest-free, but if yours are being nibbled, regular spraying with mild soapy water or a natural pesticide made by mixing 1 teaspoon of natural dish soap with a quart of water and spraying on your plant. Some pests are better controlled by picking them off with your hands.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can experiment with flavoured varieties of basil like lemon, lime, and cinnamon varieties. You can also improve the beauty of your landscape with purple ruffles and green ruffles basil, both of which are pretty enough to plant in a flower garden. With a little practice, you’ll find that basil is one of the most rewarding herbs you can grow.
Using Basil
- Use to flavour pizza sauce
- Make basil pesto
- Add to salads
- Use in homemade sauces
- Add some leaves to smoothies or fresh fruit blends
- Try adding basil to stir fries
- Basil goes will in marinades and chutneys
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