Basil is a herb with a strong aroma. It is used in cooking, and was previously used as a medicine. Basil is mainly grown from seeds. In addition, you can get a new plant from cuttings taken from an adult plant.
Planting basil seeds directly into the ground
Basil is a heat-loving plant. Seeds germinate at a temperature of 10 degrees, but there is no need to rush, because frost may return and destroy the sprouts.
To grow in open ground, certain conditions must be met. Zoned varieties are best suited for open ground.
Landing dates
Growing basil from seeds begins in early summer, when the soil warms up to 160C. To obtain early greenery, cover the soil with film to warm it up. Before sowing the seeds, remove the film, sow basil and cover again.
Seed preparation
Small basil seeds are rich in essential oils. To speed up germination, they are soaked in warm water for a day. Every 3-4 hours the water is changed to fresh. A good effect is obtained when using the growth stimulator “Zircon” or “Epin” for soaking. After this, the seeds are dried and they are ready for use.
Soil preparation
To cultivate basil, you need fertile soil, light and well-drained. The growing area is prepared in the fall. Organic matter, superphosphate granules, and potassium fertilizers are added to the dug up soil. The following soil composition per 1 m² of area would be good:
- humus or mature compost -4 kg;
- superphosphate - up to 25 g;
- potassium salt - 15 g.
In the spring, before sowing, additional nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus fertilizers are applied.
Sowing technology
We follow the following technology for growing basil: in heated soil we make furrows at a distance of 35-40 cm and a depth of 1.5 cm. We water them with warm water and lay out the seeds. Place one seed at a time, leaving 3 cm between them. Seed consumption rate is 0.6 - 0.8 g/m².
Growing from seeds in seedlings
To provide greens at an earlier date, basil is grown from seeds to seedlings.
When to sow basil for seedlings
This can be done as early as the end of March, and sometimes in April. This period is determined as follows: 10 days are needed to obtain seedlings, about 50 days to reach seedling maturity, another week for rooting after picking. In the Moscow region, seedlings are transplanted into beds in early June. In the southern regions, sowing can be done earlier, for example, in February.
Selection of capacity
These can be large-volume wooden or plastic boxes, disposable or peat cups, peat tablets, seedling cassettes. In short, we choose the dishes based on how many seedlings we want to receive.
Soil composition
You can buy ready-made soil from the store, or you can mix it yourself. Basil requires soil with the following structure:
- 2 parts humus or compost;
- 4 hours peat;
- 1 tsp sand.
You can prepare the soil from equal parts of garden soil, peat and humus, which must first be sifted, then steamed or heated in the oven for about an hour. This will destroy pathogenic bacteria, pest larvae, and weed seeds.
Caring for young plants
Before sowing, the box is filled with a layer of soil 5-6 cm thick. The soil is compacted and watered. Then the seeds are distributed over the surface and sprinkled with a layer of earth 5-10 mm thick. The surface is sprayed with water from a spray bottle. The boxes are covered with glass. The temperature should be 20-250C. After 10-15 days, shoots appear.
When they appear, the glass is removed. In the future, we maintain the temperature no higher than 20°C so that the seedlings do not stretch. To do this, you need to create good lighting - at least 12 hours a day. The lack of light is compensated by the work of phytolamps. Weekly seedlings can already be lightly fed with wood ash, dissolving 10 g in 1 liter of water. It is important to ensure proper watering of seedlings; it is done when the top layer of soil dries out. We do not allow the soil to dry out; tender plants may die. Overwatering is also dangerous; a “black leg” may appear, which will lead to the death of seedlings.
Picking seedlings
When two leaves appear, except for cotyledons, the seedlings are ready for picking. It is placed in separate cups. The previous composition is used as soil, adding 2 tbsp to 5 liters of soil. spoons of ash and 1 tbsp. spoon of complex fertilizer.
Before picking, water the plants to make it easier to remove them from the soil. Soil is poured into the container prepared for planting, compacted and a hole is made into which the root of the seedling is placed. Then add more soil and compact it again. All that remains is to water the seedlings. The pick is over. In the future, we water and fertilize the plants before transplanting them into the beds.
Planting basil seedlings in open ground
A week before planting in the ground, the seedlings are hardened off and taken out onto the balcony or veranda. With the onset of warm days, and in the middle zone this usually happens at the end of May or early June, the plants are transplanted into open ground. The coming warmth is not always sufficient for basil. To accelerate the growth of this crop, you can set up a small temporary greenhouse. Or even place the basil seedlings in a greenhouse until autumn. Basil is planted together with a lump of earth. The bed must be prepared in advance. Tall plants are planted every 25-30 cm, 15-20 - low-growing ones. Leave 25 cm between the rows. After planting, the seedlings are watered.
Selecting a location
You need to choose a place that is sunny and windless. It is important that the correct predecessors grow on the site before the basil. For example, cucumbers, tomatoes, legumes, for which many organic components are usually added - this is the soil for basil.
“Basil is a good neighbor for other plants. It does not oppress, but even stimulates their growth. And the essential oils that it releases repel pests.”
Basil is not planted in the same place where it grew the previous year. This is fraught with fusarium, which manifests itself as brown spots on the leaves. Re-growing basil in the same bed can be done no earlier than after 5 years.
Caring for basil in open ground
To obtain juicy spicy herbs, basil needs to create the appropriate conditions.
Watering
Newly planted seedlings require abundant watering. In the future, we water the plant only in cases when the soil dries out in the top layer. The root system must be moistened; drying out of the earthen coma is unacceptable!
We water the soil with heated, settled water, being careful not to get it on the leaves. After watering, we loosen the soil around the bushes and between the rows.
Feeding
We plant basil in soil enriched with mineral additives and organic matter. For lush green mass, the plant is fed twice a month. A teaspoon of nitrophoska granules is scattered onto 1 m² of ridge. It is good to use Agricola fertilizer, dissolving 2 tbsp. spoons in 10 liters of water. Before applying fertilizers, the soil must be moistened.
Growing in a greenhouse
In the northern regions, basil is grown in a greenhouse. This way they get a green harvest almost all year round, regardless of the weather.
The necessary conditions
The air in the greenhouse should be warm and humid, 22-280C. If the weather is hot, the greenhouse needs to be ventilated and shaded so that the atmosphere does not become too warm and humid. There should be enough light in the greenhouse; tall plants should not grow next to it.
Benefits of growing basil in a greenhouse
In a greenhouse, grass can be grown from April to October. Here the basil will receive protection from cold and drought.
In this way, you can provide your family with healthy greens for a long period and even sell the surplus.
Caring for greenhouse basil
It is necessary to monitor the humidity - water the soil generously from a watering can with a diffuser, without waiting for it to dry. Watering should be plentiful, but infrequent. Remember to loosen the soil, breaking up the soil crust and allowing oxygen to reach the roots. Water with liquid urea, infusion of chicken manure, nitrophoska or other suitable fertilizers. Be sure to fertilize after cutting the greens. We cut off the top of the shoot when it reaches a height of 20 cm. This promotes branching of the bush and the growth of new foliage.
Growing basil on a windowsill
If we want to get fragrant greens all the time, growing basil from seeds on the windowsill will help. For cultivation in pots, low-growing ornamental varieties are used.
- "Dwarf". A small spherical bush. Reaches a height of 20 cm. The leaves are green or purple with a sharp spicy taste.
- "Violet". It has large purple leaves. It has a pleasant delicate taste, good in salads and other fresh dishes.
- "Citric". A low plant with pale green shoots and a persistent lemon aroma.
- "Clove". A beautiful bush that looks like a ball. The leaves have a clove aroma and a tart taste.
For growing basil at home, the same soil is suitable as for seedlings. It is important to place a drainage layer of expanded clay or other suitable materials at the bottom of the pot.
Seed germination is carried out in the same way as seedlings. Then we water, fertilize, loosen the soil... If the room is too hot, you need to water every day. But they feed it twice a month. The top of a grown bush is pinched for better branching. The more often you pick off leaves, the faster new ones will grow.
Basil diseases and their treatment
Basil is a resistant plant, but it is also susceptible to infection. The most common diseases are:
- "blackleg";
- fusarium;
- gray rot.
The green leaves of basil are eaten as food, so it should not be treated with fungicides shortly before use. Otherwise, the greens will be unsuitable for consumption.
Disease Prevention
To prevent diseases, it is important to organize proper watering, avoid excess moisture, and periodically loosen the soil. The plants should not be planted densely; ensure natural ventilation of the basil plantings. Be sure to remove weeds.
To prevent diseases of this crop, the soil is treated. It is spilled with a solution of potassium permanganate, a solution of biological preparations. It is important to treat the seeds before sowing.
Pests and their control
Basil is a plant that is quite resistant to pests. The characteristic spicy aroma and essential oils repel insects. Aphids or whiteflies may appear in small numbers. To destroy them, toxic substances must not be used. Plants with severe damage are removed. The rest are pollinated with ash or pepper infusion.
Harvesting
Green basil leaves are collected as they grow. The main harvest is made in July before flowering begins. Basil is especially fragrant at this time. Collect the tops of shoots with young leaves. Larger and more mature leaves are used to brew tea and dried to obtain culinary seasonings. The leaves are plucked carefully with your hands, trying not to damage the plant itself. The most convenient way to preserve basil is drying it in the shade - in bunches or individual leaves. Dried herbs are stored in closed jars or paper bags. Frozen greens keep well all year round.
Basil is used by chefs to add a piquant, spicy aroma to dishes. The plant is used in medicine and cosmetology. You can use it to make masks for skin and hair. It is simply necessary to grow such a useful plant on your site! And at home, on the windowsill, we will get a perennial plant that will provide vitamin greens for our table in winter and summer.
Basil is a healthy seasoning that gives dishes a piquant taste and a pleasant aroma. With the onset of the summer season, I want to get an early harvest of this valuable and tasty spice. If you sow directly into the ground, you will have to wait a long time for the harvest, since basil is heat-loving, demanding of soil nutrition and the rules of agricultural technology. But if you grow it through seedlings, then achieving an early harvest of greenery will be quite easy.
Sowing basil for seedlings
The seedling method of planting basil is an opportunity to get early greens and collect full-fledged seed material for planting next season. Healthy and strong seedlings are the key to a good result, so when growing them, you need to pay attention to the timing of planting, as well as the conditions for growing them.
Step 1: determine planting dates
When determining the timing of sowing seeds, you need to focus on the possible timing of planting seedlings in open ground or a greenhouse. In the temperate climate zone, this is approximately the first ten days of June. In regions with warmer climates, seedlings can be planted as early as mid-May. By this time, the possibility of return frosts will have passed, consistently warm weather will have established, the soil will have warmed up sufficiently (up to +10–15 degrees), and the basil plantings will not be threatened by weather disasters.
Helpful information! In the southern regions, basil is most often planted with seeds directly into the ground, but in the northern regions a full harvest can only be obtained by growing seedlings.
In order to accurately determine the timing of sowing, use the following scheme:
- Let’s take the estimated date of planting the seedlings to a permanent location as a starting point. Let's say that the possible date for your area is June 1st.
- From this date it takes 60 days - the required age of seedlings before planting. We get April 2.
- Let's subtract another 2 weeks. This is the maximum time required for seeds to germinate. The resulting date is March 19.
- If the seedlings are grown with picking, that is, with transplantation from a common container into individual ones, then it is necessary to subtract another 4–5 days (the time for the seedlings to adapt after picking). We get the seed sowing date - March 14.
When determining the timing of sowing, the selected variety must also be taken into account. Mid-late and late ripening basil develops more slowly, so its seeds are planted several days earlier. The sowing time for early and mid-early varieties needs to be shifted in the other direction. These plants develop faster and can outgrow within the specified time. This is extremely undesirable, because overgrown seedlings will take a long time to take root.
Note! If you plan to grow basil in a greenhouse, then the timing of sowing seedlings is shifted by two weeks, that is, to the beginning of March.
Step 2: prepare the containers
Any container is suitable for sowing basil seeds. When choosing, you should decide in advance whether you will grow seedlings with or without picking seedlings. If you are planning a diving procedure, then for initial sowing you can choose boxes in which the seedlings will feel free, they will be easy to care for, they can be quickly moved to a new place or turned the other side to the light.
When selecting planting containers, keep in mind that their height must be at least 8 cm
When growing without picking, individual containers are preferred. In this case, sowing seeds can be done:
- peat tablets, cassettes and pots;
- paper honeycomb;
- cassettes and trays made of PVC and polystyrene;
- containers made from scrap materials, etc.
Photo gallery: individual planting containers for growing seedlings
Peat tablets are disposable, since plants are planted in the ground directly in these containers. The disadvantage of seedling pots is that they take up a lot of space. Due to the small size of the containers, the soil in the trays and cassettes dries out quickly, and if the plants are not watered on time, they may die When planting seedlings grown in peat cups in the ground, they do not need to be removed from the planting container. The main advantage of homemade containers is that they do not require any financial costs and are made from available materials
Step 3: select and prepare the soil
To grow healthy, full-fledged seedlings, you should carefully select the soil. It should be light, nutritious, and have good breathability. Do not fill containers with soil mixed with clay. Such soil does not allow air to pass through well, quickly becomes dense and begins to squeeze the delicate roots. In such conditions, seedlings may become sick and grow weak and poorly developed.
Here are several options for suitable soil mixtures for growing basil seedlings:
- Humus, peat, sand in a ratio of 2:4:1.
- Garden soil, peat, humus in equal parts.
You should not use very fertile soil: it is useless for germinating seeds, and can even cause harm - slow down the emergence of seedlings and their growth, and provoke diseases
Note! You can use a nutritious soil mixture sold in specialized stores. To disinfect it, use a saturated solution of potassium permanganate or Fitosporin.
If necessary, the mixed and disinfected soil mixture is spilled with a nutrient composition. To do this, urea, superphosphate and potassium sulfate (0.5 teaspoon each) are added to the settled water. After the fertilizer has dissolved, moisten the prepared substrate with it. Such watering will make the soil more nutritious and provide the emerging seedlings with all the necessary elements.
Step 4: process the planting material
Basil seeds will only be active in the presence of heat and sunlight, because their natural habitat is the hot climate of India. Therefore, before planting, it is recommended to warm them up to a temperature of +40 degrees. This can be done on a sunny windowsill or on radiators. After warming up, it is recommended to soak the seeds for a day in warm water (approximately +40 degrees), and then dry them slightly.
Helpful advice! For soaking, you can use solutions of growth stimulants Zircon, Albit, etc.
Be prepared for the basil seeds to become very slimy when soaked.
Important! High-quality, heated and moisture-saturated seeds will sprout approximately 7–10 days after sowing.
Step 5: planting correctly
Sowing basil is absolutely simple. This procedure includes the following steps:
- A drainage layer of expanded clay or pebbles is placed at the bottom of the planting container. Its thickness should be 2–3 cm.
- The planting container is filled with the prepared substrate so that at least 1 cm remains to the edges of the planting container.
When filling the container, keep in mind that the moistened soil will settle slightly
- The soil is slightly compacted and moistened.
- Warmed up, saturated with moisture and slightly dried seeds are evenly laid out on the surface of the soil.
To prevent seedlings from competing for a place in the sun, it is better to immediately lay out the seeds at a distance of 2–3 cm from each other
- They are sprinkled with a layer of soil mixture of about 0.5 cm on top. When planting several varieties, labels with names are installed so that you can then navigate through the varieties you like.
Fill the cassettes with the remaining soil so that the basil seeds are at a depth of 0.5–1 cm
- The ground is carefully sprayed (preferably with a spray bottle) so that the seeds are not washed to the surface. Do not use a strong stream of water. It is fraught with the fact that the seeds along with the water can go deeper. Because of this, they will take a long time to germinate or will not sprout at all.
The best way to moisten the soil is by spraying with a spray bottle.
- The containers are covered with film or glass and placed in a well-lit and warm place.
As soon as planting has been done, the container is covered with glass or polyethylene film to create a greenhouse effect.
Video: basil seedlings in a snail
Seedling care
The optimal temperature for keeping boxes with planted seeds will be +20–25 degrees. After emergence of seedlings, the covering material is removed and the containers are placed in a room with a temperature of +16–20 degrees. In such conditions, the seedlings will not stretch.
After removing the film, basil needs to be provided with regular and timely care.
It is necessary to provide the seedlings with sufficient light. Poor lighting will lead to weakening and stretching of crops. Therefore, place containers with seedlings in well-lit places, protected from bright sunlight.
Note! Direct sunlight on young leaves can cause burns.
Watering
The top layer of soil in the planting container should not dry out. Without moisture, small plants will begin to wither and stop growing. Overmoistening of the soil also harms hatching seeds. It can cause the roots to die off, rot, and develop a disease such as blackleg.
Important! If, when examining the seedlings, you notice that a dark constriction has appeared in the lower part of the stem, and the root collar has darkened, these are signs of the black leg disease. It is urgent to treat the seedlings with a solution of copper sulfate: 1 teaspoon of copper sulfate per 2 liters of warm water.
Basil seedlings love to be watered with settled, warm (at least +22 degrees) water. Watering directly from the tap can cause the roots to die. Water the seedlings with caution; you should try to moisten the soil rather than water the leaves. If moisture gets on the green parts of the plant, it can lead to the spread of fungal diseases.
Basil seedlings should be watered carefully, making sure they do not fall
Helpful information! There is a misconception that before transporting seedlings to the planting site, they must be well watered. This is incorrect, because succulent stems and leaves are more fragile, they are more likely to break than slightly wilted.
Picking seedlings
Picking seedlings is an optional process. If the seeds were sown in individual containers, or the sowing was carried out in a sufficiently large tray and the seedlings were not thickened, then it is quite possible to do without picking. It is enough to further thin out the seedlings and add soil to the container to strengthen the plant stems.
If necessary, picking is carried out in the phase of two true leaves. The composition of the soil mixture can be the same as when sowing basil seeds. Picking is carried out as follows:
7–10 days after picking, the seedlings can be fed with urea (1 teaspoon) and superphosphate (0.5 teaspoon) dissolved in water (1 liter). It is recommended to periodically pollinate the soil in containers with wood ash. It will not only provide the seedlings with additional nutrition, but will also be an excellent prevention of fungal diseases.
Video: how to pick basil seedlings
When growing basil seedlings, they try to create comfortable conditions for it. If there is a sudden change in the artificially created environment - for example, when transplanting into open ground - the plant will experience stress and may take a long time to recover and get sick. It is recommended to gradually accustom and prepare seedlings for a new mode of existence. For this purpose it is hardened. Hardening begins approximately 2 weeks before planting the plant in a permanent place. It is taken out into the fresh air or into a film greenhouse. The main condition: the temperature of the seedlings during hardening should not be lower than +5 degrees.
Important! The optimal hardening regime is to create a daytime temperature within the range of +15–17 degrees, and a night temperature – +12–15. During hardening, limit watering of seedlings.
First, the plants are taken out into the fresh air for no more than 2–3 hours, when the air temperature rises to the level required for basil
Transplanting seedlings into open ground
Basil seedlings will be ready for planting in open ground at the age of 50–60 days. By this time, it should have at least 5 true leaves, be healthy and strong. When determining the timing of transplantation, you should focus on weather conditions: the danger of night frosts must pass, and the soil must warm up to a temperature of at least +10 degrees. For planting, choose a sunny place, protected from the north wind, carefully loosen the area and fill it well with organic matter (1 bucket of rotted manure per square meter). The transplant is carried out as follows:
Note! If the transplant is carried out in compliance with the specified rules, then in just a few days the basil seedlings will come into force and the bush will begin to actively grow.
Video: transplanting basil seedlings into a garden bed
Features of planting basil seedlings in a greenhouse
In protected soil, comfortable conditions for planting basil occur several weeks earlier than in open soil. The rules for transplanting basil into a greenhouse do not differ from planting it in open ground. The main feature is that in unprotected soil, plants are most often planted in a row or in a separate ridge. In greenhouses and greenhouses, basil is used as a compacting plant between tomatoes, eggplants and peppers. For better growth and bushiness, it is recommended to pinch the top of the seedling. Provided the soil has good nutritional value and regular and abundant watering, the harvest will be early and of high quality.
In the conditions of the Moscow region, northwestern and northern regions, it is cultivation in a greenhouse that will provide an early and abundant harvest of greenery
Compatibility of basil with other plants
Basil is one of the companion plants, that is, those herbs that secrete specific substances that have a beneficial effect on other crops: enhancing their growth, disinfecting the air, repelling pests. Therefore, basil bushes are often used in joint plantings. Basil goes well with the following plants:
The only plants whose proximity to basil is not recommended are rue, as well as cucumbers, which do not like combined planting with any aromatic herbs. Basil itself grows well after those crops for which a large amount of organic matter was added: legumes, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, zucchini, onions, cabbage and carrots, as well as green manure. Given the rules of crop rotation, you cannot plant basil in one place for several years in a row. The culture can be returned to its original place no sooner than after 4–5 years.
Considering the huge number of advantages of basil, its benefits, including for garden crops, you should always have this plant in open ground beds and in greenhouses. All you have to do is choose your favorite variety - and you can start planting it.
Find out how to cheaply and quickly make a roof for a country house
Growing basil from seedlings is a fairly popular way to quickly and efficiently grow a crop and get a harvest. Sowing of seedlings occurs at the end of March or at the very beginning of April, sowing depth is up to 1 cm. In order for the seedlings to germinate quickly, within about 10 days, temperature adjustment is required, which must be kept at +25+27°C throughout this period. Next, they are planted into small pots. The pots with young seedlings are kept in a greenhouse, where they are fertilized and hardened. It will be necessary to apply mineral fertilizers in the first leaf phase (if, of course, the seedlings do not develop well). It’s easy to prepare them - dilute 3 g of potassium, 2 g of nitrogen and 5 g of phosphorus fertilizers per liter of clean water, and water them. Already before planting in open ground, about a week in advance, it is necessary to harden the plants - limit watering, arrange ventilation in the greenhouse with a decrease in temperature. Around the beginning of June, when the danger of night frosts has completely passed, basil is planted in open ground. Arrangement on the garden bed in rows, 30 cm apart, and a distance between plants of 25 cm. Planting takes place in small holes, 7-8 cm deep, into which about a liter of water is poured before placing the young plant. Basil is planted in pots, but only so that the central bud and young leaves remain on the surface. While the plant is taking root, the basil is watered constantly, after this period - watering only as needed. How to grow basil from seedlings: detailed instructions starting from planting seeds, and ending with transferring the basil to open ground
This process is called differently by everyone, for example, growing basil on a windowsill or growing basil in a pot, but the essence remains the same. You will need to grow the crop from seeds in a pot, or replant an already mature basil with cuttings. As in open ground, you will need a fertile bud and warm, windless conditions. Basil is planted several plants in one pot, the pots are placed in sunny, well-warmed places, watering occurs as the soil dries, approximately once every 5-6 days. Also, fertilizing with mineral fertilizers will be necessary, according to the scheme described earlier. Fertilizing basil at home is carried out approximately once a month. Growing basil from seeds at home is a little slower than growing basil in a greenhouse and open ground, but you can always achieve excellent results by providing the crop with the necessary conditions. Growing basil at home: the right soil , fertilizer, watering and sunny place
Growing basil: agricultural technology and features Growing basil in the country will require increased attention from the owner of the plot, if, of course, he is interested in a rich and stable harvest, and not in limp greens that can grow without special care.
Indeed, every garden crop requires attention, and especially basil, which, although it can easily cope with many pests and diseases, is very demanding of soil and heat. How can we grow basil without a huge loss of time and effort, and get a decent harvest that will delight our table with spicy seasoning by the end of the season? Secrets of growing basil now.
Agricultural technology for growing basil requires fertile and well-maintained soil, which means that we will have to work hard to create the best option for growing the crop. Basil is best planted in well-warmed areas that are protected from wind and drafts. The plant prefers light sandstones, well seasoned with organic matter. Legumes, potatoes, tomatoes and cucumbers are considered the best predecessors of plants in the garden, since organic fertilizers are consistently applied to them. Preparing the soil for growing basil in open ground begins in the autumn, when the bed is well dug up and fertilized. The digging depth is about 20-25 cm, about the size of a shovel, soil fertilizers (per 1 m2) are 3-5 kg of humus or compost, 22-25 g of superphosphate and about 15 g of potassium salt. If growing basil is planned on heavy soils, clay and loam soils, then in the fall it is necessary to form regular ridges, which in the spring should be well hoeed (depth up to 15 cm). Soil for growing basil: preparation and fertilization
Growing basil from seedlings is a fairly popular way to quickly and efficiently grow a crop and get a harvest. Sowing of seedlings occurs at the end of March or at the very beginning of April, sowing depth is up to 1 cm.
In order for the seedlings to germinate quickly, within about 10 days, temperature adjustment is required, which must be kept at +25+27°C throughout this period. Next, they are planted into small pots. The pots with young seedlings are kept in a greenhouse, where they are fertilized and hardened.
It will be necessary to apply mineral fertilizers in the first leaf phase (if, of course, the seedlings do not develop well). It’s easy to prepare them - dilute 3 g of potassium, 2 g of nitrogen and 5 g of phosphorus fertilizers per liter of clean water, and water them.
Already before planting in open ground, about a week in advance, it is necessary to harden the plants - limit watering, arrange ventilation in the greenhouse with a decrease in temperature. Around the beginning of June, when the danger of night frosts has completely passed, basil is planted in open ground. Arrangement on the garden bed in rows, 30 cm apart, and a distance between plants of 25 cm. Planting takes place in small holes, 7-8 cm deep, into which about a liter of water is poured before placing the young plant. Basil is planted in pots, but only so that the central bud and young leaves remain on the surface. While the plant is taking root, the basil is watered constantly, after this period - watering only as needed. How to grow basil from seedlings: detailed instructions starting from planting seeds, and ending with transferring the basil to open ground
In fact, growing and caring for basil is not particularly difficult; you just need to study the technology of growing basil and adhere to a certain scheme. Basil should be dug up for planting density, tearing off the top shoots, remove flowering from young plants, weed the weeds in the garden bed in a timely manner, and water the basil and loosen the soil. Also, you should not allow basil to be planted too thickly and have high soil moisture, otherwise the basil will suffer from gray mold.
When the basil reaches 10-12 cm, it can be removed little by little. The leaves are tied into bunches and dried, then finely ground and used as a seasoning for a variety of dishes.
This process is called differently by everyone, for example, growing basil on a windowsill or growing basil in a pot, but the essence remains the same. You will need to grow the crop from seeds in a pot, or replant an already mature basil with cuttings.
As in open ground, you will need a fertile bud and warm, windless conditions. Basil is planted several plants in one pot, the pots are placed in sunny, well-warmed places, watering occurs as the soil dries, approximately once every 5-6 days. Also, fertilizing with mineral fertilizers will be necessary, according to the scheme described earlier. Fertilizing basil at home is carried out approximately once a month. Growing basil from seeds at home is a little slower than growing basil in a greenhouse and open ground, but you can always achieve excellent results by providing the crop with the necessary conditions. Growing basil at home: the right soil , fertilizer, watering and sunny place
Now that growing basil at home or in the open ground has become clear to you, you can choose the most suitable variety.
A plant with leaves of a deep bluish color and a persistent aroma of tea and allspice.
A crop with light green leaves, the aroma of which resembles a mixture of cloves and bay leaves.
A plant with purple-brown leaves, which, when harvested, can add a clove and mint aroma to any dish.
In addition, it is always possible to grow purple basil or grow lemon basil, which do well in pots on a windowsill or in open ground if you initially grow basil through seedlings in a greenhouse. We recommend reading the article about anise.
Today, basil is the most favorite among herbs, which is very common in the Caucasus. If you are interested in the question of how to grow basil in the country, then you are well aware of this aromatic crop. In nature, there are many different types of this herb, which differ only in shape, size and color.
These can be large or small leaves, round or pointed, green or purple. The qualities of basil are used as a spice and medicine, it can be used as a herb, a dry seasoning and for infusions.
This spice is grown in several ways - by seedlings and sowing seeds in the ground. In cooler areas, where summers are not so hot, it is better to use grown seedlings. Basil responds very well to fertile soils that are well heated by the sun. You can grow the plant in pots or in a greenhouse.
In order to grow basil seedlings, you need to fill the pots or boxes with fertile soil and sow the seeds to a depth of no more than half a centimeter, sprinkling the same nutrient mixture on top through a sieve. After this, the containers are covered with film or glass and placed in sunny and warm place indoors. From time to time, the covering should be opened and the soil ventilated.
At a favorable temperature, seedlings will appear within a week, after which it is advisable to lower the temperature, but leave enough sun for the seedlings so that the stems do not stretch too much. When 2-3 true leaves appear, the seedlings need to be planted so that they have more space. You can grow some plants from cuttings.
When the plant has already developed up to 6 leaves, you can cut off the tops and place it in a container with water; quite quickly the stems acquire a good root system, after which it is planted in pots, a greenhouse or open ground under a film. Growing basil in open ground. When The ground outside has already warmed up enough, you can plant seedlings. Basil prefers slightly acidic soils fertilized with compost.
Before planting, you need to prepare trenches up to 10 cm deep and water them with water at room temperature. After planting the seedlings, it is advisable to cover the soil on the surface with mulch. When the plants become stronger, they no longer need special care.
It is enough to regularly remove weeds and water the soil. When you start cutting the first greens, the plant will need to be nourished with an infusion of mullein or nettle.
Basil foliage can be cut throughout the summer, the main thing is that the plant is spacious and has enough air. When planting basil seeds, they need to be kept in rain or settled water for several hours. Plant the seeds in the beds to a depth of 1 cm.
The seeds are sprinkled with soil, watered with warm water and the beds are covered with film or glass. After the first shoots appear, the plants will need to be ventilated for 10 minutes a day and watered as the soil dries. When the first true leaves appear, the glass is removed and the seedlings are planted.
At the same time, maintain a distance of at least 5 cm between basil seedlings. After some time, the plant will get stronger and grow.
It will be necessary to pinch the tops so that it produces good lateral shoots. Video about Basil - the king of herbs. Now you already know how to grow basil in the country using seedlings prepared in advance or planting seeds directly into the ground. If you properly care for the plant, then you can enjoy aromatic salads and other dishes almost all year round, just as basil retains its qualities even in dried form.
Would you like to receive the latest articles on dacha topics in your inbox? The site is updated daily.
Conditions for growing basil at home in the garden and in a greenhouse, photo description. Clove aroma, caramel, growing in the country. Garden basil is a herb. In basil, everything you see has a completely delicious, pleasant, spicy smell.
The value of the leaves lies in the full range of useful vitamins C, B1, B2, PP, as well as a small composition of essential oils. Basil is often planted in strategic places to repel various annoying insects, for example, flies or mosquitoes. And what is also important is that the insecticidal properties of this plant are used to protect other useful plants from pests such as aphids or spider mites.
To do this, simply plant the basil in a convenient pot and place it near the affected plant. People from different countries have known for a very long time about the beneficial and tasty properties of basil leaves. As a medicinal plant, it is immediately used to stop headaches or as a gargle for a sore throat. Basil belongs to a number of annual, spicy, garden plants.
The maximum height of basil is 80 centimeters. Always with a huge number of leaves, which densely covers the plant. You can see basil blooming from mid-July to early September.
Ripe seeds look small and can be stored for up to 5 years.
To grow basil you need to choose only the most fertile soil, otherwise the plant will develop poorly or will not grow at all. Cold weather negatively affects the plant. Low temperatures can completely kill him.
The best place will always be a well-lit area. Basil seeds for seedlings are usually sown only in early April, no later. For seedlings, a small box or pot with well-watered soil mixture is suitable.
The seeds are planted to a depth of 1 cm, sometimes half a centimeter, and the distance between the rows is kept about 5 cm. Next, we place the box in a warm, well-lit place in which the air temperature is at least 20 degrees.
At this temperature, you will observe germination in 5 days. The next step is to start planting basil seedlings in pots and then to a permanent place in the garden. We are used to soaking the seeds before planting them.
With these seeds you don’t have to carry out this procedure, but you should always keep the soil in the box moist and not allow it to dry out. Under no circumstances should you use cold water for watering, only warm water!
Cold water contributes to the appearance of the disease - black leg. If you have not spared cold water and the total amount of water in general, the blackleg will need additional measures taken.
To combat blackleg, water the entire soil in the box with a solution of copper sulfate (mix half a teaspoon of sulfate per liter of water). The permanent place of basil in the garden must be chosen correctly, taking into account the fact that basil cannot grow in the same place every time once. The best option is to return the plant to its old place only for the 10th year of cultivation. We begin planting plants in open ground at the end of May.
At the same time, we try to choose a cloudy day for planting or when the sun is not very hot. After this, water all the plants thoroughly.
All care for basil throughout the season will consist only of clearing the soil around from weeds, as well as occasionally loosening the soil. And of course - water about 10 times during the growing season.
You must understand that frequent watering has a beneficial effect on the appearance of new leaves. The first month of the plant goes very poorly, as it slowly develops and gains strength.
The best option for the first month of growing is if you cover all the plants with film to maintain a warm temperature and retain moisture. You need to cut the greens before flowering begins, and cut off leaves and branches up to 10 cm. We proceed to complete pruning only during the flowering period , at this time the greens acquire maximum taste and smell. Both fresh and dried leaves and basil branches are used in cooking. It adds a unique flavor to whatever you throw it on.
They allow harvesting in late autumn, winter and early spring, when vitamins are especially needed.
Variety selection
Botanists there are at least 150 varieties of basil. They differ in bush size, leaf color, nuances of taste and aroma.
The most popular and undemanding varieties are suitable for a novice gardener. In a greenhouse, you can plant several options at once or choose your favorite ones.
- Basil fragrant or camphorous. The most popular variety with bright green leaves. It has a recognizable clove aroma and bushes well. The variety is especially popular in Mediterranean cuisine.
- Basil cinnamon or Mexican. There are subtle cinnamon nuances in the taste. The plant is compact and beautifully combines pale green leaves with bright purple flowers.
- Basil violet. Very popular in Caucasian cuisine, added to meat side dishes, sauces and even desserts. The leaves have a very delicate, slightly sweet taste.
- Basil citric. A spreading plant that produces a large green mass. The leaves are large, light green, with a subtle lemon aroma.
Useful video about basil varieties grown in a greenhouse:
What kind of greenhouse do you need?
Basil can be grown in greenhouses and heated greenhouses. Thus, basil, when grown in a greenhouse in winter, can be combined with other crops:,. These crops have similar requirements for soil composition, watering and temperature conditions.
Ideal greenhouse for growing greens throughout the year maybe small, from 20 to 50 sq. m. On a personal plot it can be made of wood or metal profiles. Convenient or pitched structures.
Small ones adjacent to the building are also suitable. In such structures, one wall is made blank, which increases the temperature inside the structure and allows you to save on heating costs. Find out how to organize it on our website.
The winter greenhouse can be covered with glass or sheets. A more economical option is double plastic film. Her The only drawback is fragility. The film coating will have to be changed annually, and in regions with a very cold climate, such protection may not be sufficient.
In winter, maintain the desired temperature in the greenhouse biofuel will help- a mixture of rotted manure and straw. The mass is left under plastic film for several days, and then laid out in ridges and covered with a thick layer of prepared soil.
It is recommended to lay sheets of roofing felt around the perimeter of the greenhouse, which will help protect the plants from the cold.
For heating greenhouses use electric boilers, air heaters, stoves or small fires.
Heating is necessary with the onset of frost. For ventilation you need vents. To prevent cold air from entering the greenhouse, a small vestibule is made at the entrance.
Soil preparation
Basil is picky about soil composition. In a greenhouse, it is better to remove the top layer of soil by filling the ridges with a mixture of garden soil, peat and sand. The soil should be light and loose, with moderate acidity. Before planting, rotted manure is added to the soil (at the rate of 4 kg per 1 sq. m). 2 weeks after planting the plants, you need to fertilize the soil with an aqueous solution of chicken droppings or urea.
In a greenhouse, basil can be grown from seedlings or seeds. The first method significantly shortens the growing season. Seeds on seedlings are sown in boxes filled with light soil. There is no need to bury them. The boxes are covered with plastic film.
The first shoots appear after 2 weeks. When the plants acquire 2 leaves, picking is carried out. A distance of 5 cm remains between young plants, this will allow them to develop normally. In a month and a half seedlings can be transplanted into a greenhouse. It is better to sow basil in winter, and plant seedlings in early spring.
Features of planting and care
How to grow basil in a greenhouse? The seedlings are planted in shallow furrows, the distance between plants is about 15 cm. Every 7 days, the beds should be watered generously with not too cold water.
For watering, use watering cans with a wide spray nozzle. Very comfortable and automatic drip system, which is installed in industrial greenhouses.
Basil loves warmth. The optimal temperature for growth is 22°C...28°C. The plant does not need excessive heat; in the warm season, the greenhouse should be frequently ventilated. Basil in the cold must be protected from drafts. When the temperature drops to 15°C, growth slows down; cooling to 5°C can destroy the sprouts.
The first harvest can be harvested when the young plants reach 20 cm. Stems cut with pruners or a sharp knife so that a stump with 2 leaves remains on the surface of the earth. You need to act carefully, the root system of basil is weak, and with a sharp movement you can accidentally pull out the bush.
After harvesting, plants need to be well watered and apply fertilizer to the beds: chicken manure or aqueous urea solution. Such a system will ensure the uninterrupted growth of fresh herbs, and it will be possible to harvest at least once a week. For the season from 1st quarter. m of closed ground you can collect from 2 to 7 kg of greens.
Basil low maintenance and pleases with a good harvest. This crop is suitable even for novice gardeners. Having gained useful experience, you can begin to grow other, more capricious plants.
If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.
It’s very easy to please your household with fresh Italian herbs. All you need to do is plant basil. The spice can be grown in a greenhouse. To get a good harvest of greens, it is recommended to sow seeds correctly, taking into account some of the requirements of the crop. It is also worth remembering the basic subtleties of caring for basil. To make the greens truly dense and juicy, you need to remember that you don’t need to plant them next to the plant.
Soil requirements and preparation for planting
Growing herbs in a greenhouse has a number of features. First of all, basil requires choosing good soil. The soil for this crop must be well-groomed and fertile. In addition, basil grows best in well-warmed soil that is protected from drafts and wind.
Sandy loam is the best soil for basil in a greenhouse. In this case, the soil must be thoroughly fertilized with organic matter. Experienced gardeners recommend growing these greens in areas from which the following were removed:
- cucumbers;
- tomatoes;
- potato;
- legumes.
The whole point is that high-quality organic compounds are consistently added to them.
In order for herbs to grow actively in a greenhouse, it is very important to properly prepare the soil. This procedure should begin in the fall. During this period, it is recommended to first dig up the basil bed and then put it into the ground. The soil should be dug up to a depth of 20-25 cm. This is almost the full depth of a shovel.
The key to good basil growth is the presence of drainage.
As for applying fertilizers for planting basil in a greenhouse, about 15 g of potassium salt, 22-25 g of superphosphate and about 4 kg of humus will be sufficient. These indicators are calculated per 1 sq. m.
When growing greens in clayey, heavy soils or loams, the formation of proper beds will be no less important. They still need to be pierced with a hoe in advance, after which they are dug up.
The next step is proper preparation of the soil mixture. The optimal ratio is a combination of 15% peat and 30% sand added to ordinary fertile soil. It is very important to achieve good soil looseness. In addition, it should have excellent air permeability.
Advice. Another mandatory requirement for land is the presence of drainage. Otherwise, the roots of the plant will gradually begin to rot. The moisture will be highly concentrated, causing the earth to become very dense. This must not be allowed!
Choosing a Basil Variety
Now you need to choose the right basil variety. Italian herbs that are ideal for growing in a greenhouse include varieties such as:
- Moulin rouge;
- Anisic;
- Thai Queen;
- Minimum.
Moulin Rouge is a decorative variety of basil. This spice is very aromatic and is perfect as a spice for various dishes. The pronounced taste and smell of the variety are reminiscent of a surprisingly colorful combination of apricot and anise. If you properly care for this variety of greenery, then from 1 sq. m. you can remove about 3 kg of spices.
Another popular variety of basil that can be grown in a greenhouse is called Anise. This hybrid is high quality. The variety is perfectly acclimatized for cultivation in the southern regions of the Russian Federation. The unique feature of this green is its non-trivial taste. However, the aroma of the spice may vary. For optimal growth of this variety, it is recommended to maintain a temperature range from 2 to 30 degrees Celsius. However, full watering is especially important for the variety. If it is provided, then from 1 sq. m. you can get up to 4 kg of greens.
From 1 sq.m. in a greenhouse you can get up to 4-5 kg of greens
The Thai Queen variety is another common variety of basil intended for greenhouse cultivation. To a certain extent, the unique plant is characterized by a bright taste and rich aroma. To achieve high quality greens, it is very important to water them constantly. Under this condition, the yield will be at least 3 kg per 1 sq. m.
Another variety that deserves attention is called “Minimum”. This culinary crop is great for making salads. The main attraction of this variety is its amazingly high yield. About 5 kg of green mass can be collected from 1 square. m. for one season. In this case, you will need to mow the greens in a timely manner so that new leaves actively grow.
When choosing the optimal basil variety for growing in a greenhouse, you must first take into account the desired amount of green mass and the taste of the spice.
Transplanting
Once the plant variety has been selected, you can begin preparing the seeds. It is recommended to soak them in or plain water for 8-9 hours.
The grains should be planted in picking boxes that have been previously treated with some kind of disinfecting solution. An excellent solution would be 3% copper sulfate. Planting material should be planted in the ground 1-2 cm from the surface. This will allow the seeds to emerge into the light in a shorter time. As a rule, the first seedlings appear 5-6 days after planting.
Attention! To make seedlings appear faster, it is worth covering the ground with film. This approach ensures a more active growth process, increased temperature levels and moisture conservation.
At this stage, it is recommended to constantly water the basil. When the first shoots appear, soil irrigation should be done only as needed. The optimal duration of watering is only the first 2-4 weeks. Then it is recommended to completely protect the greens from moisture. Otherwise, there is a significant risk of blackleg formation.
When the first full-fledged leaf appears, the basil can be fed. For this, it is best to use a mineral composition. It is worth considering that the plant almost instantly acquires a rich, dark shade, since the crop is extremely responsive to the use of fertilizers. It is recommended to dissolve 3-4 g of ammonium nitrate and nitrogen fertilizer in 1 liter of water. The resulting amount of fertilizing will be sufficient for 3 square meters. m. soil. In this case, it is very important to ventilate the greenhouse. Otherwise, there is a high probability of spotting or powdery mildew.
Greenery care
Caring for basil in a greenhouse is extremely simple. For thickness, you should periodically break through the greens. Flowering should be removed from young seedlings and the top shoots should be plucked. It is also necessary to periodically remove weeds from the garden bed. You will also need to systematically loosen the soil and water the basil.
By following fairly simple rules for growing and caring for basil in a greenhouse, you can get a truly excellent harvest of herbs.
Growing basil - video
Basil in a greenhouse - photo
