Growing Basil
How to Grow Basil in the Garden
** Growing Basil is Easy **
Basil is an annual herb plant that can grow up to approx. 24” tall. It is grown primarily for culinary use, but is also known for soothing upset stomachs and helping digestion.
Often cooked with tomatoes, Genovese Basil is the most popular variety grown in home gardens. However, if you're considering growing basil, try other varieties too!
Photo taken at the Cleveland Botanical Garden.
Growing basil is a good choice for a container gardening. Growing basil indoors can also be productive. Place the pot in a sunny location and keep the soil lightly moist.
Gardening Tips for How to Grow Basil: For bushier basil plants, pinch off the tips. This encourages new side shoots to grow.
How to Grow Basil - Climate & Growing Conditions
When growing basil, pick a sunny spot in the garden.
Gardening Tips on How to Grow Basil: Growing basil and tomatoes together as companion plants makes them both healthier.
How to Grow Basil - Preparing the Garden Soil
Light, sandy, well drained soil mixed with compost is best for growing basil. The soil pH should be 5.5 to 6.5. (Learn how to test your garden's soil pH level.)
How to Grow Basil - Planting
How to grow basil from seed (outside): Growing basil requires warm air and ground temperatures. When the outside temperature is above 55 degrees (F) with no danger of frost, plant the seeds directly in the garden. Cover the seeds lightly with soil and keep moist.
Gardening Tips on How to Grow Basil: Water gently, or you'll wash away the basil seeds.
Thin the emerging basil seedlings to 10” apart (eat the cuttings).
For an earlier crop, start by growing basil seeds indoors. Plant the seeds in seed-starter, keeping the seedbed warm, moist (not soggy) and exposed to light.
Harden-off your basil seedlings before planting outside. When planting basil seedlings outside, space them 10" apart.
How to Grow Basil - Watering
Keep the soil lightly moist.
Gardening Tips on How to Grow Basil: Mulch around the plants to help hold moisture.
How to Grow Basil - Harvesting
(For dipping - home grown basil, tomatoes, mozzarella & balsamic vinegar)
Start harvesting when there are several sets of leaves per stem. Harvest as needed for fresh use, but pick the tips first. This encourages side shoots to grow. Also, pinching off the flowers as they appear will help extend the season.
How to grow basil - extend the season by bringing indoors.
Near the end of the season, try converting the healthiest basil plants to houseplants. Dig up the plant leaving room around the root ball. Plant it in a pot with a mix of compost and sandy potting mix, and water. Place in a sunny spot and keep the soil moist.
Basil doesn’t tolerate frost, so make your final harvest just before the first fall frost.
Gardening Tips On How to Grow Basil: The strongest flavor is just before basil flowers.
How to Grow Basil - Storage
How to Dehydrate Herbs - Basil
Gardening Tips From Our Readers:
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Note: the advice and information contained herein is based upon our experience and study. As with any advice, please apply at your own discretion.