Basil: Planting, Growing, and Harvesting

Basil Benefits and Uses

• Basil is one of the most popular and widely used culinary herbs in the world. Sweet Basil is the quintessential Italian culinary herb, most famous for its use in pesto. It is also used for flavoring salads, tomato sauces, soups, vegetables, chicken, egg, and fish dishes. Citrus-scented and spice-flavored varieties work well in Asian recipes. Young leaves have the best flavor, while old ones have a coarser, stronger taste.
• Although Basil naturally repels mosquitoes and flies, it attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to the garden.
• Basil is a valuable addition to the vegetable garden and an excellent companion plant for tomatoes, peppers, parsley, lettuce, asparagus, beans, beets, cabbage, eggplant, marigolds, potatoes, or oregano.
• While Basil makes a colorful and flavorful addition to many dishes, it can also provide some health benefits. It contains many vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and essential oils. However, all these great compounds disappear during drying, so opt for fresh basil whenever possible to enjoy the most benefits. This wonderful herb can help reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, fight free radicals, and reduce high blood sugar levels. It has antibacterial properties. Popular in Ayurvedic medicine, Tulsi provides many benefits, including improving mental health, reducing anxiety and depression, and lowering the risk for age-related memory loss.
• Basil is low-maintenance. Just pinch off the flowers as they arrive to send the growing energy into the leaves, which is why most people grow basil.
• Basil has no serious pest or disease issues. It is no favorite of deer and rabbits.

When to Plant Basil?

• Seeds are easily started indoors or planted directly in the garden.
• Basil can be directly seeded in the garden once soil temperatures reach 70ºF (21°C) and night temperatures are above 50°F (10°C).
• It can also be started indoors 6 weeks before the last frost date.
• Plants germinate quickly, sprouting within 5-10 days, and is ready to harvest in 60 to 90 days.
• They will die off at the end of summer once temperatures start to fall.
• Protect your plants with row covers when temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C), or dark spots caused by cold injury may appear on leaves.

Where to Plant Basil?

• Basil is a heat-loving plant that is perennial in zones 10-11 but grown as an annual elsewhere.
• It is easily grown in full sun (at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily), although it grows reasonably well in part sun, particularly in the hottest climates.
• Basil thrives in light, well-drained, fertile soil in a sheltered position.
• It works well in kitchen gardens, herb gardens, containers or raised beds.
• Basil is a valuable addition to the vegetable garden and an excellent companion plant for tomatoes, peppers, parsley, lettuce, asparagus, beans, beets, cabbage, eggplant, marigolds, potatoes, or oregano. Avoid planting it near Rue (Ruta graveolens) and Sage (Salvia officinalis).

How to Plant Basil?

• Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep (1/2 cm). Cover with a thin layer of vermiculite and water gently.
• Once seedlings emerge and have their first true leaves, thin seedlings to one plant every 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) or 16-24 in. (40-60 cm) for larger varieties.
• Keep plants indoors until all danger of frost has passed, then harden them off to gradually acclimatize them to outdoor conditions.

Growing Basil

Water and Moisture

• Keep the soil evenly moist to prevent stress from weakening plants. During the dry periods in summer, water your plants freely.
• Basil dislikes having wet roots overnight, so water in the morning if possible.
• Never water from overhead, as this could lead to powdery mildew issues. Always water at the base of the plant.
• Spread mulch around the plant to keep moisture in and weeds out.

Fertilizer

• Plants should not be over-fertilized because the leaf flavor will be reduced during quick plant growth.
• Fertilize sparingly throughout the season with a 5-10-5 fertilizer.

Deadheading / Pruning Basil

• Pinching or cutting back plants regularly encourages branching. This will create bushy plants with more tender foliage for harvest.
• For the most flavorful foliage, flower buds should be pinched out as soon as they appear.
• Some flower spikes may be allowed to develop if you wish to collect seeds.

Harvesting Basil

• Make sure to pick the leaves regularly to promote growth throughout the summer.
• If only a few leaves are required, remove the tops of the plants to encourage bushy growth.
• Harvest beforehand if a sudden frost is imminent, as the cold temperatures will destroy your plants.
• Harvest Basil early in the morning before the heat of the day sets in.
• Cut off the central stem almost at ground level, just above 3 to 4 side shoots.
• Remove all foliage that will fall below the water level. Make the next cuts at the end of the stem being harvested. Place them immediately in water.
• Leaves last 7 to 10 days in a vase.

Storing Basil

• Store in a glass jar at room temperature and out of direct sunlight, like a bouquet of flowers. Change the water regularly. The cut basil will last 7 to 10 days.
• Freeze your basil. Freezing will prevent the plant from losing a good portion of its flavor. Basil should last about 3 months.
• Dry your Basil (some flavor will be lost). Place the basil leaves on a single layer on a baking sheet, and bake them for 2-4 hours in the oven on the lowest heat setting with the door slightly open.

Pest and Diseases

• Basil has no serious pest or disease issues. However, some problems may occasionally occur:
• Snails and slugs may eat leaves, especially on young plants. Keep the soil free of leaf debris, and set out slug and snail traps.
• Aphids can be easily treated with horticultural soaps or oils.
• Powdery mildew can be avoided by providing good air circulation between plants and by watering at the base of the plant.
• Fusarium Wilt is a fungal disease that can attack plants, causing sudden wilting.