Growing basil from seed is definitely an excellent place to begin your herb garden and is super simple to do. You may learn to grow basil indoor, outdoor, from cuttings, or even from nursery trees. Regardless of what kind of herb you are growing, you’ll find that it is one of the easiest and most rewarding types of herbs to cultivate. Many people enjoy growing basil for its aroma, taste and color. Basil is also very easy to maintain and keep.
One of the easiest methods for planting basil is to plant seeds directly into small containers, no deeper than the base of a standard pot. If you are planting from seed rather than growing them in a container, be sure to purchase ones that are light and dry. Do not use clay pots, glass jars, or water-filled ones with a plastic wrap lid. They will retain too much water, making the plants drown – and kill the young roots.
When choosing a site for planting your basil plant, select a location that gets at least six hours of bright sunshine. It should receive direct sunlight all day long. This is especially important during spring when daytime temperatures may dip below forty degrees. Be sure to plan the kind of sun your plant will need, since some varieties only grow best in sunlight, while others will flourish better in shade. Also be sure to plant it in soil that is well-drained, with lots of moisture, since this herb does not like to be starved of water.
Be careful to purchase your seeds from a reputable source and from a local garden center rather than from a discount retailer or large chain store. The quality of these seeds is often tied to the type of climate where they were grown. Most herbs do well in an area with relatively mild winters and summers, while others will flower better if they are planted in warmer climates. Ask your local garden center about germinating basil before you buy any seeds to be sure they are certified as seeds that are suitable for seed starting.
After your purchase your seeds, be sure to follow the package’s instructions carefully so that your plant grows up healthy and strong. Remove any excess dirt or dead leaves from the plant as you remove them, taking care to wear gloves and old clothes as you do so. Be sure to put the plant in a warm sunny spot with good drainage, but not so much that it becomes over-watered. After a couple of weeks, it is time to move the plant into its final location for harvesting. Harvest basil in the late summer or early fall.
Harvesting basil outdoors is also possible, but it requires different growing methods. If you have a traditional patio garden with regular water and fertilizer, harvesting from a plant that is grown inside would be problematic. However, many gardeners who are able to keep their outdoor herb plants indoors, use plastic pots instead of wooden containers to keep their herbs growing, and just pinch off any flowers that start to bloom. If your plan is to harvest basil indoors in a container, be sure that the size of the container is large enough to hold the plant without over-watering it.
For those who prefer to grow their herb plants from seed but who also like companion planting with other herbs, there are a couple of different ways to go about it. First, some folks like to start out small, by growing a few plants of one herb such as basil. Then, they may decide to grow several plants of a particular herb together, or several different varieties. If you start out small, you may find it easier to work with the small plants, since they will tend to be healthier and less likely to spread around. For larger species, it is best to start out with smaller plants and then to add more plants over the course of several years.
Another way of growing basil from seed is to buy some loose leaves and stems from a garden center and to sow them in a small container. Just be sure that you buy ones that are not already growing when you do so. Then, after planting them in the garden, just water them generously and allow them to go to seed. When it comes to pruning, it is usually best to wait until the starter mix has established itself. After that, prune away any excess flowers or plants.