Care of Basil Plants

Preferred Soil Conditions

• Plant basil seeds and plants in humus-rich and well-drained soil that is freshly tilled or fluffed. Basil thrives in a wide range of soils from strongly acidic to alkaline pH levels and hence rarely needs soil amendments to adjust for pH. Preferring a slightly moist soil at all times, basil can be mulched with shredded bark or leaf mold to limit moisture loss to evaporation.

Planting and Harvesting

• Plant basil seeds two or three at a time at 1 to 2 inches in depth and at 8-inch intervals in premoistened soil, and water in lightly after placement. Bury the root-ball of established plants and tamp down the soil around the roots well to collapse any air pockets. Mature plants should be placed at 8- to 12-inch intervals. Harvest the leaves and the stems for use with clean, sharp pruning shears as you need them. Basil is an energetic grower, and it is difficult to overharvest these plants. If the plant is not in use for a while and gets leggy, prune back the stems to provide shape and a more compact growth pattern.

Watering and Fertilizing Requirements

• Keep the soil around ungerminated basil seeds and young plants uniformly moist at all times. As plants mature, keep the soil moist to the touch when reaching an inch or so down into the soil. If planted in pots or containers, make sure that there are adequate drainage holes so that the roots are never seated in standing water, while ensuring that the soil never completely dries out. Fertilize at least twice in the growing season, once after the green shoots have appeared and are at least 3 to 4 inches in height and again later in summer to encourage strong crops into fall through until the first frosts. Water at the base of the plants around the roots instead of overhead as this prevents disease and sunburn.