Basil grows as a summer annual herb. It produces fragrant, flavorful
leaves often used to complement tomato-based foods. The herb can't
tolerate frost and grows best during the warm days of summer and fall in
nearly all climates. Basil produces ample foliage with only minimal
care.
Planting Basil
Sow
two basil seeds in moist potting soil inside a 2-inch-diameter seedling
pot. Plant the seeds approximately six weeks before the last expected
frost date. Cover the seeds with a 1/4-inch layer of soil.
Cover
the pot with a plastic bag to retain the soil moisture during
germination. Set the pots in a warm area indoors until the seeds sprout,
which can take up to seven days. Basil doesn't require light to
germinate.
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Remove
the plastic bag and move the pots to a location that receives at least
six hours of daily sunlight after the seeds sprout. Water the basil when
the soil surface dries.
Pinch
out the extra seedlings so only one seedling remains in each pot after
the plants produce their second set of leaves. Transplant the seedlings
outdoors two weeks after frost danger passes.
Outdoor Care
Amend a full-sun garden bed with a 1-inch layer of compost, digging it into the top 6 inches of soil.
Lift
the basil seedlings out of their pots and plant them in the prepared
bed at the same depth they were growing at previously. Space the basil
plants 8 inches apart.
Water
basil once weekly, providing about 1 inch of moisture via irrigation or
rainfall. Basil grows best in soil that remains moist without becoming
soggy.
Pinch
off the tip of each stem every three weeks to keep the plants bushy and
to prevent flowering. Alternatively, snip back the plant to half its
height every two or three weeks when harvesting. The foliage tastes best
when the plants aren't allowed to flower.
