Do you know what is always good to have on hand in the kitchen? aromatic plants. These vegetables, in addition to giving a fresh and natural touch to our environment, give off very pleasant aromas and are ideal for many culinary recipes. One of the most used aromatic herbs is basil, ideal for flavoring pizzas, pasta, salads and for making pesto. So that you can enjoy its wonderful fresh leaves recently harvested, we are going to explain how to plant basil
You don’t need a garden or orchard to grow these plants, with pots and a place with lots of light is usually sufficient. In addition, they are very easy to maintain. What more ? If you like basil and cook with it, I recommend growing it yourself at home. In addition to telling you how to plant basil, we will also tell you when is the best time to perform this task.
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When is potted basil planted?
Before explaining how to plant basil, we must first know when to do it to be successful. In general, the best time to sow this aromatic plant is in late winter or early spring. If it is true that we could plant this vegetable a little later, it is not recommended. The earlier we plant the basil, the longer it will last and we can extend the use of its aromatic leaves. It must be said that it is an annual plant that does not survive low temperatures, so it is unlikely to survive the fall.
When it comes to planting basil, you have to be content with quantity. This vegetable has the ability to germinate very well and very quickly. In many cases, not all the planted basil is used. A more or less precise estimate is sow two or three specimens per family and per season, more surely we don’t need it. Obviously, this depends on the use we want to make of it and our gastronomic tastes.
How is the basil plant planted?
Now that we know when to plant it, let’s explain how to plant basil. Usually when sowing a vegetable, in most cases it is best to cover the seed with a little soil or substrate. In this way we give it darkness and also humidity, at least during the germination process, which is essential for it to eventually germinate. It must be said that the seeds are basically a dormant plant, which begins its germination phase as long as the temperature and humidity are adequate. However, if it lacks moisture, it can cripple your process irreversibly.
But don’t worry, basil is an exception. In this case, to successfully plant this plant, the seed should be exposed to direct sunlight so that it can germinate. Knowing this, we can now acquire basil seeds and get to work. We can buy the variety that we like the most in a nursery or in garden centers.
There are large-leaved, small-leaved, and also purple-leaved types of basil. Moreover, within these groups there are different varieties. With just one seed envelope, we already have more than enough for this season. The remaining seeds can be saved for the next season. Obviously, we can also buy seeds of different varieties of basil and try the one we like best. The variant with purple leaves is a good option to spruce up our garden a bit.
How to plant basil step by step
Once we have acquired the seeds, it is time to sow them. Then we will explain step by step how to plant basil:
- Prepare the seedbed: It can be a tray of cells, a pot or a planter. In the case of a pot, it must have a diameter of at least twelve centimeters, so we will have a large enough surface so that the basil plants do not germinate too close together. In the case of the use of a tray of cells, each of them must measure between three and four centimeters.
- Add the substrate: Then it’s time to add the substrate to the seedbed and water thoroughly. The most recommended is the “seedling substrate”, but if we cannot find it, we can also use a special substrate for indoor plants.
- Distribute the seeds: Since they are very small, it is best to pick them up with tweezers and distribute them evenly over the substrate. It is best to leave a separation of about two centimeters between each seed.
- Water: We water again, but very carefully so that the force of the water does not end up moving the soil and covering the seeds. Then, keep the substrate always moist.
- Locate the seedbed: It is important that the seeds are in full sun, but at the same time protected from wind and drafts. The germination temperature of basil seeds should never drop below fifteen degrees.
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How to water basil
If we manage to keep the soil moist and the temperature minimum, from the exact moment of sowing, the seeds will eventually turn slightly bluish. It is then that its germination begins. After a few days we will be able to observe its first leaves and its two cotyledons.
What to do after sowing?
If we managed to germinate basil seeds successfully, the time will come when we must transplant them. This usually happens about 20 or 30 days after planting, when they already have about two or three pairs of leaves. From the nurseries we can plant the basil in its place in the garden or in slightly larger pots, if we want to have this aromatic plant on the terrace or in the kitchen. It is important to carry out this task carefully, trying to damage the vegetables as little as possible. We can plant basil individually or in groups of up to three specimens.
The most recommended substrate for transplanted basil is substrate for outdoor or universal plants, mixed with normal soil. As for the pH, this aromatic plant prefers a little acid, more precisely between 5.7 and 6.2.
As you can see, it’s not complicated to plant basil, and to take care of it either. Personally, I love preparing mozzarella tomato with a leaf of this delicious aromatic plant.