Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Basil
Basil will grow best in a location that gets 6 to 8 hours of full sun daily, though it can perform well in partial sun, too.
Soil should be moderately fertile and moist but well-draining. Basil works great in containers or raised beds, as these allow for better drainage. The pH of the soil should ideally be in the range of 6.0 to 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral).
If you’re planning on cooking with these plants, plant in clean soil, don’t use insecticides, and grow them away from driveways and busy streets so that exhaust won’t settle on the plants.
When to Plant Basil
- To get a jump on the season, start the seeds indoors 6 weeks before the last spring frost. (See local frost dates.)
- To plant outside, wait until the soil has warmed to at least 50°F (10°C)—preferably around 70ºF (21°C) for best growth. Nighttime temperatures shouldn’t drop below 50°F (10°C).
- Don’t rush basil. Without heat, the plant won’t grow well!
How to Plant Basil
- Sow seeds no more than 1/4-inch deep. Once seedlings emerge and have 2-3 pairs of true leaves, thin seedlings to one plant every 10 to 12 inches. Basil should grow to about 12 to 24 inches in height.
- For larger varieties, plant farther apart (about 16 to 24 inches).
- Tomatoes make great neighbors for basil plants in the garden—and on the plate!
How to Grow Basil
- Make sure that the soil is moist. Basil plants like moisture.
- If you live in a hot area, use mulch around the plants (the mulch will help hold in moisture and suppress weeds).
- During the dry periods in summer, water the plants freely.
- After the seedlings have produced their first six leaves, prune to above the second set. This encourages the plants to start branching, resulting in more leaves for harvest.
- Every time a branch has six to eight leaves, repeat pruning the branches back to their first set of leaves.
- Fertilize sparingly throughout the season with a 5-10-5 fertilizer.
- After about 6 weeks, pinch off the center shoot to prevent early flowering. If flowers do grow, just cut them off.
- If the weather is going to be cold or if a sudden frost is imminent, be sure to harvest your basil beforehand, as the cold temperatures will destroy your plants.
Make herbal vinegar using basil; it retains the flavor and makes a great gift! See how to make herbal vinegars.
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Funny, but less than a week ago, I sent the Old Farmers Almanac a real easy way to dry basil w/o the use of a microwave, oven, dehydrator or by tying a bunch of basil branches together with string and let them air dry in a cool area of one's home. My quick and easy way: Cut off desired branches; Rinse under cool running water or swish in a sink to clean off the basil; Place basil on paper towels until the majority of the moisture has evaporated; Put the basil onto a rimmed cookie sheet (leaves only); Place in a hot car warmed by the sun; Remove basil from car once leaves are dried; and place in air tight containers -- so easy ! Note: You can either crush the crinkly leaves or store whole.
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I had never grown herbs before I got one of those commercial mini-hydroponic setups for Christmas, which included 6 different herbs to grow, including Genovese and Thai basil. The Thai basil grows like a weed, but the Genovese seems to be nearing the end of its life span. I read that it could easily be propagated, so I snipped off a piece and have started it in a mason jar, it's rooting, and I hope to never, ever have to buy basil at the store again!
My basil leaves appear to have some sunburn. Are there any remedies to help once some of the leaves are already burnt?
My store-bought basil plant obviously went to flowers before to leaves, and then it dried up, even though watered. Any purpose to dried flowers other than for its smell?
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