Growing Basil: The King of Herbs

Basil is one of the most beloved herbs in the garden, prized for its aromatic leaves and culinary versatility. This warm-season annual is surprisingly easy to grow and provides abundant harvests throughout the growing season.

Sweet Basil

  • ‘Genovese’: Classic Italian variety, perfect for pesto
  • ‘Large Leaf Italian’: Big leaves, intense flavor
  • ‘Dolce Fresca’: Compact, slow to bolt

Specialty Basils

  • ‘Purple Ruffles’: Ornamental with purple leaves
  • ‘Lemon Basil’: Citrusy flavor, great for fish dishes
  • ‘Thai Basil’: Spicy, anise-like flavor
  • ‘Holy Basil’: Sacred in Hindu culture, medicinal uses

Growing from Seed

Indoor Starting

  • Start 6-8 weeks before last frost
  • Use seed starting mix
  • Keep soil temperature 21-24°C (70-75°F)
  • Provide 14-16 hours of light
  • Seeds germinate in 5-10 days

Direct Seeding

  • Wait until soil temperature reaches 18°C (65°F)
  • Plant 0.5cm deep
  • Space seeds 5cm apart, thin to 20-30cm
  • Protect from cool nights with row covers

Planting and Care

Soil Requirements

  • Well-draining, fertile soil
  • pH 6.0-7.0
  • Rich in organic matter
  • Warm soil essential for good growth

Planting Out

  • Transplant when night temperatures stay above 10°C (50°F)
  • Harden off seedlings for 7-10 days
  • Plant in full sun location
  • Space 20-30cm apart

Watering

  • Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
  • Water at soil level to prevent leaf diseases
  • Deep, less frequent watering is best
  • Mulch to retain moisture and warmth

Fertilizing

  • Light feeder - compost is usually sufficient
  • Side-dress with compost monthly
  • Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers (reduces oil content)

Maintenance

Pinching and Pruning

  • Pinch growing tips when plants reach 15cm tall
  • Remove flower buds immediately to keep leaves tender
  • Harvest regularly to encourage bushy growth
  • Pinch from the top, not the sides

Common Problems

  • Fungal diseases: Ensure good air circulation
  • Aphids: Use insecticidal soap or beneficial insects
  • Japanese beetles: Hand-pick or use row covers
  • Fusarium wilt: Choose resistant varieties, rotate crops

Harvesting

When to Harvest

  • Begin when plants are 15-20cm tall
  • Best flavor just before flowering
  • Harvest in morning after dew dries
  • Take no more than 1/3 of plant at once

How to Harvest

  • Pinch or cut stems just above a leaf pair
  • New growth will emerge from below cut
  • Harvest entire plant before first frost
  • Regular harvesting encourages production

Preserving Basil

Fresh Storage

  • Place stems in water like flowers
  • Cover with plastic bag
  • Store in refrigerator for 1 week
  • Don’t wash until ready to use

Drying

  • Air dry: Hang bundles in warm, dry place
  • Oven dry: Low temperature (35°C/95°F)
  • Microwave: 30-second intervals until crisp
  • Store in airtight containers

Freezing

  • Whole leaves: Flash freeze, then store in bags
  • Pesto: Make and freeze in ice cube trays
  • Oil: Blend with olive oil, freeze in portions
  • Blanched: Blanch briefly, freeze flat

Making Pesto

Traditional Genovese pesto:

  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
  • Salt to taste

Companion Planting

Excellent Companions

  • Tomatoes: Improves flavor and repels pests
  • Peppers: Similar growing requirements
  • Oregano: Complementary flavors and growth habits
  • Parsley: Good garden companions

Benefits to Garden

  • Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips
  • Attracts beneficial insects
  • May improve flavor of neighboring tomatoes

Container Growing

Basil thrives in containers:

  • Pot size: Minimum 20cm diameter
  • Drainage: Essential - use drainage holes
  • Location: Full sun, protected from wind
  • Varieties: Compact types like ‘Spicy Globe’

Season Extension

Early Season

  • Start indoors for transplants
  • Use black plastic mulch to warm soil
  • Protect with row covers during cool nights

Late Season

  • Take cuttings for indoor growing
  • Harvest entire plants before frost
  • Dry or freeze for winter use

Growing Indoors

  • Light: South-facing window or grow lights
  • Temperature: 18-24°C (65-75°F)
  • Humidity: 40-60%
  • Containers: 15-20cm pots with drainage

Basil is truly a gardener’s best friend - easy to grow, beautiful to look at, and delicious to eat. Whether you’re making fresh pesto, seasoning tomato dishes, or simply enjoying the fragrance in your garden, basil is an essential herb for any home gardener!