Growing Basil ( GYI)

 

Basil is one of the most popular plants to grow at home. This compact herb can grow from seed to harvest on a windowsill indoors, making it ideal for any urban GIYer. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t love some fresh basil to add to a summer tomato dish or some homemade pesto – the smell alone can brighten up any kitchen.

Sowing

• Sow seeds anytime from April to June.
• Sow one seed in a module tray or small pot.
• Basil likes a Mediterranean climate, so either grow it indoors in a pot, in a glasshouse or a polytunnel, or on a sunny windowsill.
• Basil will germinate in about two weeks.

Growing

• Transplant into a larger pot or the ground when it is about 7–10cm high.
• If planting in the garden, allow 30cm between plants.
• If growing indoors, fertilise compost once a month with a liquid feed.
• Basil plants can be killed by frost, so don’t put outside until June.
• Make sure to water often in hot weather.

Harvesting

• Start picking the leaves of basil as soon as the plants are around 25cm high.
• Cut off the growing tip of the plant with a scissors. This encourages the plant to get bushy rather than tall and straggly.
• Keep harvesting by cutting off the tips above a node (where the leaves join the stem), so new shoots will grow out of the node.
• For best results harvest in the early morning, when leaves are at their juiciest.

TIPS

• Basil likes to grow in a sunny, wind-free location, but it also likes ventilation – if growing inside, place beside a window that opens.
• Over watering or lack of food is generally the reason people kill basil plants. Water only when the compost dries out, and give it a liquid feed if required.

Problems

• Slugs love basil, so keep the area around the plants slug free. You can view all our slug prevention tips here.