Will Basil Grow All Year?

About Basil

• Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow. Like most culinary herbs, it is a member of the mint family, with characteristic square stems with tiny hairs and aromatic foliage when it is crushed or bruised. There are at least 40 known basil varieties, from widely grown sweet basil to more unusual-flavored types including anise or licorice, lemon and cinnamon basils. Thai basil, ornamentals Purple Ruffles and Dark Opal, and lettuce-leaf basil also are worth the search. Pinch or snip off basil as you need it to get bushier, fuller growth and avoid pruning.

Growing Basil

• Basil grows best in full sun and needs rich but well-drained soil. Plants prefer slightly acidic soil, in the pH range of 5.5 to 6.5, but need little or no fertilizer. Too much fertilize decreases fragrant-oil levels. Start plants inside from seed, then harden them off in spring for an early outdoor crop. In the garden, space basil plants about 12 inches apart. Keep soil evenly moist. Mulch with shredded leaves, untreated dry lawn clippings or pine straw to retain soil moisture and deter weeds. Pinch off any flowers that form, to prevent plants from going to seed.

Starting Basil Indoors

• Thinly sow tiny basil seeds on top of a flat of moist, sterile germination mix. Cover the seeds with a very thin layer of the same sterile soil -- no more than two seeds deep -- and keep the germination soil warm (about 70 degrees Fahrenheit) until seeds begin to germinate five to seven days later. Keep the flat moist and warm, in bright light, until seedlings have two sets of true leaves.

Growing Basil Indoors

• Transplant young plants to 2-inch pots and set them in a sunny window for further growth and development. Pinch back stem tips to encourage bushy growth. After four to six weeks, transplant plants into their own large, permanent pots and rich, well-drained growing mix. Place potted basil plants in a sunny south- or west-facing window, and keep them well watered. Use additional fluorescent lighting if needed for healthy growth, to give plants up to 12 total hours of bright light each day. Keep plants evenly moist but not waterlogged.