Basil
Ocimum Basilicum
A Basic Growing Guide
Description
Basil is like the superstar herb of the gardening world. Bringing magic to Italian and Thai dishes, this aromatic collection of herbs is a must-have for any kitchen garden. Whether you're growing it in your backyard or in a pot on the windowsill, basil is pretty easy to grow and provides weeks upon weeks of harvests. Besides making your garden smell like paradise, basil is loaded with nutrients like vitamins A, C, and K, not to mention essential minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium. So plant some basil and level up your culinary game with this powerhouse herb!
Some Common Varieties
Sweet (Genovese) Basil: Classic basil variety used in pesto and Italian dishes, with a sweet and mild flavor.
Thai Basil: Has a licorice-like flavor, commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine.
Lemon Basil: Citrus-flavored basil that adds a lemony zest to dishes or can be brewed into a tea.
Purple Basil: Has dark purple leaves with a slightly spicy flavor, often used for garnish and in salads.
Holy Basil (Tulsi): Basil and Tulsi are both in the mint family but tulsi is actually a different species called Ocimum Tenuiflorum. It is often used medicinally in herbal teas.
Basil Through The Season
Planting Instructions
Light Requirements
Basil requires full sun, which means at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
When
Plant in late April to early May, after the last frost.
Seed or Transplant?
Can be started from seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost or planted as transplants.
Depth
Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in clusters of 2-3 seeds, no thinning necessary. Holy Basil requires some light for germination, so plant a little more shallow than other basils.
Spacing
Space plants 4-8” apart.
Growth Habit
Basil is a bushy, annual herb that grows well in full sun.
Tending
Watering
Water regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water at the base to avoid wetting the leaves.
Common Pests and Treatments
Aphids: Treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap, or spray with water.
Slugs: Use iron phosphate or set up traps. Set out small upside-down pots, cans or even orange peels overnight. Slugs will congregate on the undersides of these traps and in the morning you can simply throw the traps away to rid yourself of the slugs.
Japanese Beetles:
Handpick and remove or use row covers.
Common Diseases and How to Treat
Downy Mildew: The plants will start looking slightly yellow and then develop a brown fuzziness on the underside of the leaves. Remove affected plants to keep it from spreading and increase air circulation for your remaining plants (i.e. prune the plants around it and reduce moisture if possible).
Fusarium Wilt: This is a soilborne pathogenic fungus. Plants will grow normally until 6-12 inches tall, then suddenly start to wilt. Remove affected plants and avoid planting basil or other plants in the mint family in the same spot for several years.
Learn more about preventing and treating common plant diseases in Tennessee.
Feeding/Fertilizing
Apply a balanced organic fertilizer once a month, such as GardenTone.
Pruning
Regularly pinch off the tips of the stems to encourage bushy growth and prevent flowering.
Harvesting
When
Begin harvesting when the plant has at least six to eight leaves, and continue to harvest regularly to encourage new growth.
How
Pinch or cut the leaves just above a pair of leaves or a leaf node. Avoid cutting into the woody stem.
Then What?
Basil plants will continue to produce new leaves throughout the growing season as long as they are regularly harvested and not allowed to flower. Once flowers form, basil switches its energy from leaf development to reproduction. You can keep the flowering basil in your garden to attract pollinators and once the flowers have dried you can harvest the seeds.