How to Grow Basil

Basil Germination Information

How to Sow Basil:

• Best sown indoors, 6-8 weeks before last frost, at a temperature of 68-70°
• Sow at a depth of 4 times the size of the seeds and expect germination in 7-10 days
• Seeds can also be sown outdoors after all danger of frost is past and when the ground is warm
• When sowing seed outdoors, we recommend a maximum planting depth of 4X the width of the seed

How to Grow Basil:
Transplanting: If sown indoors, transplant outdoors when there are at least two sets of true leaves

Spacing: Plant seedlings 10-12 inches apart

Lighting: Site in full sun

Soil: Site in a dry, light, medium to rich, well-drained soil

Additional Care: Pinch out the growing tips to promote compactness and to delay flowering; pinch off the flower spikes when they appear. Basil can also be grown indoors on a sunny windowsill, however, do not let the soil temperature fall below 50°

Appearance and Use:

This culinary herb is grown in ground in the garden, but also transitions well to container culture. The purple-leaved types are highly ornamental. Plants grow 15-24 inches tall and wide and produce ornamentally unimportant, white or purplish flowers in the summer. It is grown for the broad, dark green or dark purple, aromatic foliage. Depending on the variety, the foliage will be redolent of clove, anise, cinnamon, lemon, rose, or orange. Harvest the leaves at any time for fresh use. To dry them for storage, harvest the leaves as the flowers begin to open

About Basil:
Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum
Pronunciation:  os-i’mum ba-sil-i’cum
Lifecycle:  Annual
Origination: Lamiaceae; native to Africa, southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean