Starting Basil in Flats

Flat Preparation

• Sterile potting medium formulated for seed starting allows the basil seeds to germinate and penetrate the soil easily. Fill the flat to the rim with the medium. To moisten the soil, fill the drip tray with one to two inches of water and set the flat of soil inside. Allow the soil to absorb the moisture through the bottom drainage holes for 30 to 60 minutes, or until the soil surface feels moist. Empty any remaining water from the drip tray before you sow the seeds.

Sowing

• Basil seeds require a 2-inch spacing when grown in flats. Sow the seeds in rows set 2 inches apart and place the seeds at 2-inch intervals in each row to provide the necessary space. A thin covering of soil, about 1/8- to 1/4-inch deep, over the top of the seeds ensures full soil contact for better germination. Mist the soil surface with water after sowing to ensure even moisture around each seed.

Germination

• Seeds germinate best at temperatures near 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Placing the flat inside a sealed plastic bag helps retain moisture and warmth during germination, so the soil doesn't require watering until after the seeds sprout. Basil doesn't require light to germinate. The seeds will send up their first shoots within five to seven days when kept warm in a moist environment. Remove the plastic bag when the first seedlings emerge.

Care and Transplanting

• The seedlings can grow in the flat for about four weeks before transplanting becomes necessary. Water the soil in the flat when the soil surface feels dry, and supply the seedlings with at least eight hours of daily light. After the first set of true leaves appears, which is the second set of leaves produced on each basil plant, you can move each seedling into its own 4- to 6-inch container or transplant them outside in a garden bed. Use a spoon to scoop the seedlings and roots from the flat, or lift them from the soil by their topmost leaves when transplanting. Plant the basil in its new location at the same depth at which it was growing in the flat.