A member of the mint family, basil is one of the most popular culinary herbs. It’s a warm-weather annual herb that you can plant outdoors once temperatures are consistently above 50°F. Basil is not usually seeded directly into the soil but rather, started indoors under grow lights. To get a jump on the season, start the seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks prior to transplanting outside. If you are sowing seeds directly into the ground sow no more than 1/4-inch deep. Seeds should germinate within 5 to 7 days. Once they have developed 2 to 3 pairs of true leaves, transplant.
If you are planting the germinated seedlings or starter plants in the ground, space 10 to 12 inches apart. Basil should grow to about 12 to 24 inches in height. To plant outside, wait until the soil has warmed to at least 50°F —preferably around 70ºF for best growth. Nighttime temperatures shouldn’t drop below 50°F. Don’t rush basil. Without heat, the plant won’t grow well!
Basil will grow best in a location that gets 6 to 8 hours of full sun daily, though it can perform well in partial sun, too. Basil works great in containers or raised beds, as these allow for better drainage. The pH of the soil should ideally be in the range of 6.0 to 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral). Tomatoes make great neighbors for basil plants.
After the seedlings have produced their first six leaves, prune to above the second set. This encourages the plants to start branching, resulting in more leaves for harvest.
Every time a branch has six to eight leaves, repeat pruning the branches back to their first set of leaves.
Fertilize sparingly throughout the season with a 5-10-5 fertilizer.
After about 6 weeks, pinch off the center shoot to prevent early flowering. If flowers do grow, just cut them off.
If the weather is going to be cold or if a sudden frost is imminent, be sure to harvest your basil beforehand, as the cold temperatures will destroy your plants.
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