Wahoooo! I just started my basil seeds under grow lights this morning. Last year was the first year I was successful at growing basil. In years past I had simply scattered seeds in the garden and hoped for the best. But last year, I babied the seeds a bit by starting them under grow lights and then growing the basil in the greenhouse the whole season.
Holy cow what a difference it made. We had more basil than I knew what to do with. Luckily this year I have a ton of new recipes I want to try so I am going all out and planting oodles of seeds. Weeeeeeee!
Brief description: An annual herb, used in a huge variety of dishes.
Where to Plant Basil: Plant in raised beds, garden beds, or containers. In the winter, Basil can be planted indoors and kept in a south-facing window in most climates. Once outdoors, choose an area with full sun.
Planting Seeds: Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Plant seeds 1/4″ deep. Thin to 1 per pot when about 2″ tall. Basil is VERY sensitive to frost, so don’t transplant too soon.
Growing Tips: When transplanting outside, mix a little compost into the soil to encourage growth. Pinch leaves and flowers frequently to encourage regrowth. Water regularly.
How to Harvest: Pinch off leaves as needed, or cut top 3″ or so off. It tastes best harvested right before it flowers.
Are you ready to start your garden but you’re not sure when you should plant your seeds or set out your transplants? Head on over HERE and you’ll be taken to a handy dandy chart that is broken down into what vegetables should be planted {or transplanted} each month in your area.
Anyone can do this. Dirt + Seeds+ Water = Food!
~Mavis
Here are a few of my favorite Basil recipes:
Baked Tomatoes with Pine Nuts and Basil
Fun Fact: Basil is part of the mint family {though it hasn’t been to a family reunion in years}. In Romania, if a boy accepts a basil leaf from a girl, they are engaged–yikes, I better be careful about who I share my crop with!
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Does basil grow well in a container? I grew some last year but my tomato plants grew over it. I was thinking about putting it in a planter this year since my garden is teeny tiny.
Basil grows beautifully in containers – we have it growing year round & use it for Caprese (sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella & Basil) several times a week, with plenty of Basil left for other dishes
Thanks. If I had read the post instead of skimming it, I would have read that.
Yes it does!
I grow A LOT of Basil….and most of it goes into making Pesto. I freeze the fresh pesto and have it available all winter…it’s my kids’ favorite….I use the Ball Freezer Jars….
i LOVE basil, we had sooooo much of it last year and i let a few of the plants go to seed and kept the seeds and i have about 30 new baby basil plants right now, when i make chicken cordon bleu i put a basil leaf inside with the ham and cheese and omg its sooooo good
Love growing basil in containers! My daughter (she just turned 3) is growing some basil and other herbs from seed for me and they are doing awesome. She planted and watered them herself and did a great job, except some of the sections have 2 sprouts and some have like 15, lol! But that’s okay, she’s enjoying herself
I’m hoping she’ll still want to do the watering when I transplant them to larger containers….hehe.
While waiting for my seed order to arrive, I’m doing a germination test with basil seeds dated 1999. Do you think I’ll have any luck? Or am I wasting my time?
It’s always worth a try.
Hi Mavis! Do you ever fertilize what you grow from seed? Just curious if you do, what you use and how often you use it.
Thanks.:)
I’m kind of a lazy gardener. I used Miracle Grow in my garden once last summer. That’s it. My garden soil is a mixture of soil, compost and chicken fertilizer. That’s it.
I grew basil for the first time last year in pots with my tomatoes! It was amazingly beautiful….I vowed from now on to grow my basil with my tomatoes.