עברית
Growing basil allows you to have a fresh, flavorful herb with culinary, health, and medicinal benefits right at your fingertips.
Growing basil is very easy, and I always recommend beginners to start their growing journey with basil because of how simple it is to achieve impressive and delicious results. Let’s dive in and learn how to grow basil in a pot!
Pollinator attraction: Basil flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden. By growing basil, you can contribute to supporting pollinator populations and promoting a healthy ecosystem.
How To Get Seeds?
The basil seeds can be purchased from stores and nurseries that sell seeds, but the quality of seeds for planting from these stores is unknown. I prefer to collect the seeds from the basil flowers growing in my garden. 🙂
You can also purchase fresh basil from stores and propagate it using the following method:
Cut the stem about 7cm below the top part, gently remove the lower leaves, and leave the upper leaves intact. Trim the bottom of the stem slightly (1/2 cm) to refresh its rooting ability.
Place the prepared stems in a small cup with water, ensuring that the leaves remain outside the water.
Change the water daily, and within approximately a week, you will have stems with ready-to-plant roots.
How To Plant?
Location: Basil prefers a sunny spot with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. It can also be grown in containers indoors near a sunny window.
Neighbouring: Good companion plants for basil include tomatoes, peppers, oregano, marigolds, and petunias, as they can enhance each other’s growth and repel pests. On the other hand, it is best to avoid planting basil near rue, sage, or cabbage, as they may inhibit its growth.
Planting:
Seeds: Sow the seeds about 1/4 inch deep into the soil, spacing them 6-12 inches apart. Cover lightly with soil and water gently.
Transplants: If using young plants, dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball and place the transplant in the hole. Fill the hole with soil and firm it gently around the plant. Water thoroughly.
Soil: Ensure the soil is well-draining and rich in organic matter. You can add compost or well-rotted manure to improve the soil’s fertility and drainage.
Germination: Germination typically occurs within 7-14 days, but it can vary depending on the basil variety and growing conditions.
How To Grow?
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Basil prefers regular watering, especially during hot and dry periods. Avoid overhead watering, as it can lead to fungal diseases. Instead, water at the base of the plant.
Fertilization: Basil plants benefit from regular feeding. Use a balanced organic fertilizer or a slow-release granular fertilizer according to the package instructions. Apply the fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
Harvesting?
Pruning: Regularly pinch off the top leaves of the basil plant to encourage bushier growth.
Harvesting: Once the plant has several sets of leaves (typically around 6-8 weeks), you can start harvesting. Snip the leaves just above a leaf node to promote new growth. Avoid removing more than one-third of the plant at a time.
Now you know how to grow basil in a pot!
Visit the following link to learn more about the Basil benefits in the article Basil-The Aromatic Perfume?