Planting Basil - How to Ensure it Will Flourish
Planting basil is a great addition to your herb garden.
The herb Basil or Ocimum Basilicum is not only a great way to add depth and flavor to many of your favorite recipes, but it has been blessed for its medicinal properties and carries a fair few traditions in folklore.
A member of the mint family, Basil was once believed to bring luck in love and Italian men would wear a branching in their hair to show the ladies their admiration.
These traditions are long gone now but Basil is still without doubt a world-wide popular herb and is specifically linked to Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
Basil is found in many modern day alternative ailments to treat an enormous range of common illnesses from headaches to inflammatory bowel conditions.
Adding a few fresh leaves to pasta, salads and sauces can have many benefits to your health and well-being.
Basil is by no means difficult to grow and can flourish both as an outside plant in your herb garden, or as an indoor plant.
The most popular way to grow basil is by starting it from seed indoors before replanting it in the garden once it begins to sprout.
It does love sunshine and the strongest of plants will be those who have soaked up plenty of the sun's rays.
If you want to grow your herb indoors, even if just to begin, there exist some special fluorescent bulbs that will supply more than enough light to give the Basil a good head-start.
The best time to seed Basil is during the warmer seasons of late spring or summer.
Basil will not survive if seeded outside in freezing conditions.
To begin with, sow each individual seed at least one inch apart.
Once the seedlings have began to break through and a few leaves have matured, you can transfer either into a larger pot or add them directly to your herb garden.
If you have a compost heap, you already have some good mulch to cover with.
Build the mulch up to around three inches and if you can use organic matter it will be the best option for your herb.
One time in the week you should water your plant, being careful not to cause a water log.
Fertilizers can be used but it is frowned upon for stripping the herb of it's natural aroma and taste, so go easy.
If you are intending to grow more than one plant - which you probably are, allow a distance of around 20 inches between each one.
Try and position your plants in an area within your garden that gets the most sunlight and the soil should allow for good drainage.
Once a fortnight, speculate if the plant requires any pruning.
Cutting back any dead flower stems or leaves will give more room for new stems to come through, increasing the productivity and keeping your plant in best condition.
Once the Basil plant has grown superior of five inches, it is a great time to harvest.
Choose leaves from the outer reaches - usually from the top.
A well looked after Basil shrub can grow up to two feet in height - that's a lot of pesto for your kitchen!
The herb Basil or Ocimum Basilicum is not only a great way to add depth and flavor to many of your favorite recipes, but it has been blessed for its medicinal properties and carries a fair few traditions in folklore.
A member of the mint family, Basil was once believed to bring luck in love and Italian men would wear a branching in their hair to show the ladies their admiration.
These traditions are long gone now but Basil is still without doubt a world-wide popular herb and is specifically linked to Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
Basil is found in many modern day alternative ailments to treat an enormous range of common illnesses from headaches to inflammatory bowel conditions.
Adding a few fresh leaves to pasta, salads and sauces can have many benefits to your health and well-being.
Basil is by no means difficult to grow and can flourish both as an outside plant in your herb garden, or as an indoor plant.
The most popular way to grow basil is by starting it from seed indoors before replanting it in the garden once it begins to sprout.
It does love sunshine and the strongest of plants will be those who have soaked up plenty of the sun's rays.
If you want to grow your herb indoors, even if just to begin, there exist some special fluorescent bulbs that will supply more than enough light to give the Basil a good head-start.
The best time to seed Basil is during the warmer seasons of late spring or summer.
Basil will not survive if seeded outside in freezing conditions.
To begin with, sow each individual seed at least one inch apart.
Once the seedlings have began to break through and a few leaves have matured, you can transfer either into a larger pot or add them directly to your herb garden.
If you have a compost heap, you already have some good mulch to cover with.
Build the mulch up to around three inches and if you can use organic matter it will be the best option for your herb.
One time in the week you should water your plant, being careful not to cause a water log.
Fertilizers can be used but it is frowned upon for stripping the herb of it's natural aroma and taste, so go easy.
If you are intending to grow more than one plant - which you probably are, allow a distance of around 20 inches between each one.
Try and position your plants in an area within your garden that gets the most sunlight and the soil should allow for good drainage.
Once a fortnight, speculate if the plant requires any pruning.
Cutting back any dead flower stems or leaves will give more room for new stems to come through, increasing the productivity and keeping your plant in best condition.
Once the Basil plant has grown superior of five inches, it is a great time to harvest.
Choose leaves from the outer reaches - usually from the top.
A well looked after Basil shrub can grow up to two feet in height - that's a lot of pesto for your kitchen!
Source...