Today we’ll talk about growing basil - stunningly fragrant herbs with a very piquant taste. It is used for making sauces, salads, pizza and other dishes. In this article, you will learn how and when to plant basil for seedlings and how to continue further care for the plant. In addition, for those who do not have a summer cottage, it is possible to grow basil right at home. We will share tips on growing basil on the windowsill in order to create a spicy garden that pleases not only tasty, but also beautiful herbs. And let's start with the description and varieties of its varieties.
General information about the basilica
People knew about the basilica more than 5,000 years ago. Moreover, it was used both in cooking and for medicinal purposes. Africa is considered the birthplace of this greenery, and it came to the territory of our country in the eighteenth century. In those years, cosmetics based on basil were especially popular - tonics, masks and creams.
Basil is an annual plant with oblong stalks in the shape of petioles. The height of the bush reaches 50-70 centimeters. The root system of the basil is branching and is located quite close to the surface of the earth. The leaves and stems of the plant are covered with thin hairs, and during flowering, the basil is covered with small pale pink flowers. The fruits are dark seeds, similar to small nuts, retaining germination for 5-6 years.
Grade Classification
There are many varieties of basil, suitable for growing in their own area. The main division of the basil is produced on green-leaf and violet varieties of greenery. The first includes such varieties as Italian, broadleaf and Evenol. The following varieties of basil have purple leaves: ordinary, Yerevan, Dark Opal, Tulasi and Osmin.
Basil is also classified by aroma:
- Clove. It includes Smuglyanka, Stella, Perfection, Dark Night, Clove Aroma and Red Rubin.
- Clove and pepper. Varieties Marquis, Fantazer and Basilisk have a similar smell.
- Pepper aroma has camphor basil, Aramis, Orion, Oriental Magic, Ruby and Compatto.
- Citric. A pleasant note of lemon in the aroma is present in the Moscow Hero, Novelty, Sparks and Lemon Basil.
- Caramel Such an original aroma are varieties Lyubimchik, Caramel and Red Ruby Nem Zaden.
- Variety of Basil the Tempter was specially bred for the preparation of marinades. Large leaves are used both fresh and dried.
- Anisic. Such an odor has such varieties of the same name as Anisovy Gourmet, Anisovy Rapture and Anisovy Aperitif.
- The menthol flavor is famous for the variety of Basil Velvet. The height of such a bush reaches 30 centimeters, with a leaf length of about 8 centimeters.
- Vanilla. Variety Vanilla flavor is used for the preparation of confectionery due to its original piquant taste. The bush is unpretentious in leaving, especially in the conditions of house cultivation.
The main features of sowing
Growing basil from seeds is possible in two ways:
- after planting seedlings,
- one-stage landing in open ground.
Using the first method, you will not only get fragrant greens, but also have time to collect the seeds before the onset of autumn - which means that it will be possible to sow basil next year. By opting for an easier way to grow basil in the open, you will lose the ability to collect seeds before the cold comes. Of course, you have the right to choose the landing method yourself. The following sections of the article will talk about a more preferable (seedling) method, about how and when to plant basil for seedlings, as well as about caring for this plant. This process is moderately troublesome, but rewarded with fragrant herbs.
When to sow basil and how to care for seedlings?
Basil seedlings are sown 60-70 days before transplanting into open ground, that is, no later than the end of March - beginning of April. Two months will be enough for the growth and necessary development of the plant, ready for transplantation. The cultivation of basil from seeds is carried out in boxes with soil mixtures, consisting of equal parts of humus, peat and garden soil. In addition, it is important to properly fertilize the soil for planting seeds. For this, top dressing is used from superphosphate fertilizer, urea, potassium sulfate and potassium chloride, diluted in water. Before planting the basil, the soil is sprayed with this composition and warmed up to a temperature of 22-24 ° C. Seeds are sown on the soil surface without deepening, after which they are sprinkled with a thin layer of earth, watered and covered with a film or glass. A box of seedlings is sent to a warm place.
When growing basil, it is worth remembering that we are talking about a moisture- and heat-loving plant. Therefore, when even several shoots appear, the box with seedlings immediately moves to a well-lit place. The first shoots appear a week after planting. Moreover, to create comfortable conditions for growing basil, it is important not only to maintain a constantly warm air temperature in the room, but also to organize regular, but moderate watering. Excessive moisture is detrimental to young plants - the disease "black leg" begins to develop. A solution of copper sulfate prepared from one liter of well-maintained warm water and a teaspoon of the drug will help to cope with it. It is also important to periodically turn over boxes with seedlings - this will ensure uniform seedling growth and prevent one-sided sprouts.
Transplanting seedlings into the ground
Basil loves the most nutritious and fertile soil. The use of soil with a high sand content can lead to thinning of the stems and poor leaf development. Therefore, before transplanting seedlings, it is important to generously fertilize the soil with peat and compost, which, by the way, can be replaced with humus. It is also worth noting that the cultivation of this spice should be carried out in warm soil, and therefore the transplantation process can only begin from the moment when the earth warms up well and night frosts stop. Knowing when to sow basil, you are sure to prepare seedlings in time, and there will be no problems with the timing of the transplant.
Basically, the plant is transferred to the open ground in June. To postpone this process to July is irrational, since this month is most often characterized by too hot weather. Seedlings are planted in pre-prepared pits, at a distance of at least 20 centimeters. The distance between the rows of the basil should be about 30 centimeters. This planting scheme allows the plant to grow freely and to be well ventilated. Additional fertilizer of the soil at this moment is not required, but it is worth compacting and slightly watering it. The first couple of weeks of growing basil, it is advisable to cover it with garden wrap - this will protect the greens from temperature extremes and help to take root better.
Landing in open ground without seedling stage
This method of growing basil is more suitable for southern regions with a warm climate. Sowing seeds in open ground is carried out in the second half of April. For residents of middle latitudes, these dates are postponed to May, provided that there is no night frost. Before planting, the seeds are soaked in warm water, and then planted in prepared soil to a depth of about a centimeter. The distance between plantings is the same as with the seedling method - at least 20 centimeters. The first pinching is performed upon reaching a height of twenty centimeters with basil stalks. The care of the plant in the future is exactly the same for both planting methods.
Watering, cultivating and fertilizing
In this section, you will learn how to water basil and care for the soil during its cultivation. Humidification of the soil directly depends on weather conditions - the hotter the air, the more often it is necessary to irrigate. But do not overfill the plant, not allowing the soil to dry at least a little. Too frequent watering will lead to stagnation of water at the roots and rot them. Since basil is a thermophilic plant, it must be watered with settled, warm water.
For better penetration of moisture and fresh air to the roots, the soil is loosened a little before watering. It is very important to remove the weed plant immediately. They interfere with the proper development of green bushes, and also take most of the nutrients from the soil.
Every 3-4 weeks after transplanting the basil, it should be fed with nitrogen fertilizers, which contribute to a better growth of greens. Most often, nitrophoska is used in a concentration of 2 tablespoons per 12 liters of warm water. Each bush usually spends about 3 liters of such a solution.
Harvest Features
You can start cutting leaves from mid-summer and continue it until autumn. In addition, by removing young shoots along with inflorescences, you will provide the basil with better leaf sprouting, which means a higher yield. To collect seeds, which is produced no earlier than September, do not rush to dig up bushes, even when they dry. With insufficient ripening of seeds, you will not be able to get seedlings and crops in the next year. Yes, and growing basil on the site is useful for other crops. The aroma of the leaves of this plant attracts many insects pollinating crops blooming at the same time. Also, essential oils repel various pests, and therefore a long stay of the plant in the soil will only benefit.
Harvesting basil for the whole year
Basil has a pleasant spicy aroma, not only fresh, but also dried. You can dry the basil in the fresh air, in the oven and even in the microwave. You can harvest basil leaves as well as whole bunches. The second method is more preferable, as it allows you to preserve the aroma of the plant. The collected greens are washed, dried on a towel and sent for further drying. In the case of a microwave, three minutes is enough. In the oven, the basil will dry out in 2-3 hours. Dried greens are stored in paper bags or glass jars.
In addition, basil can be frozen. Whole green leaves, previously scalded with boiling water and dried on a towel, are frozen. A convenient way to store is also pouring chopped basil with olive oil. To do this, greens are placed in molds for freezing ice, filled with oil and frozen. Such preparations will add a spicy flavor to the dish when frying.
Basil at home
For those who live in an apartment and do not have a summer cottage, but really want to grow spices at home, there is an excellent solution - growing basil in a pot. This process is rather troublesome and very pleasant. This section describes how to plant the basil right at home and enjoy the home rather than the purchased herbs.
The soil for planting should be light, loose and with good drainage. An important feature of soil preparation is its calcination in the oven for at least an hour. This procedure will prevent the appearance and development of pests and diseases. You can use both purchased soil, and the soil mixture collected independently. In both cases, additional fertilizer with mineral top dressing is required. A container for growing basil should have a depth of about 30 centimeters. The box should be oblong, so that the plant has enough space. A transplant in a permanent pot is carried out after the appearance of 2-3 leaves on a sprout.
A two-centimeter layer of drainage is poured at the bottom of the tank, after which a layer of fertilized soil is placed. The earth is well moistened, after which pre-prepared seeds are planted at a depth of about a centimeter. Landings are covered with film or glass and placed in a warm place. Preparing seeds for planting consists in soaking them for a day in a stimulating solution. After that, for 2-3 hours, the seeds are placed in a manganese solution for disinfection, dried with a paper towel and sent to the ground.
Germination and care conditions
The air temperature in the room from +20 ° to +25 ° is optimal for the comfortable development of sprouts. During seedling cultivation, the film is periodically removed for ventilation and spraying with water. Active watering of seedlings is not required, the first sprouts appear within ten days after planting. When they reach a height of 5-7 centimeters, a soil layer is added to the container to strengthen the plantings.
Further care for the basil is to maintain a constant air temperature, watering and top dressing. The temperature should not fall below +16 ° C, at lower rates the plant is additionally wrapped in a film. Drafts are also unacceptable. In spring and autumn, the basilica has enough natural lighting, in the cold season an additional light source is required. Watering is carried out daily, in the morning, with warm and settled water. In summer, evening watering and additional spraying in the middle of the day are added. The soil around the sprouts is slightly loosened to provide oxygen to the root system. The plant is fed with Agrolife fertilizer every month by placing a teaspoon of the drug on the soil surface. It is advisable to cut off the peduncles immediately after emergence - this will provide the basil with a better flavor and increase the amount of yield.
The first leaf cut can be made within a month and a half after planting. The upper leaves are cut so that at least three more are left on the stem. When three tiers of leaves appear, the tip of the stem is pinched. This procedure will limit the growth of shoots in height, but will increase the density and splendor of the bush.
Propagation of basil by cuttings
Another fairly simple way to grow basil is cuttings. This method is suitable for those who do not want to wait for the ripening of seeds. For this, the top of the plant or a young shoot is cut, the length of which should be at least 7 centimeters. The handle is immersed in warm water until it is overgrown with roots and is ready for planting in the ground. After planting the cuttings in a pot of earth, it is necessary to continue the usual care. Basil grown in this way does not differ in taste and external data from seed.
Useful properties of fragrant greens
In addition to the incredibly fragrant aroma, basil has a whole mass of nutrients. The high content of minerals, tannins, essential oils, lepidine, saponin, glycosides and volatile substances (camphor, eugenol, linalool) makes basil an indispensable seasoning in every home. The leaves of this green are rich in vitamins A, PP, C, K, E and B2. Low calorie basil allows you to use it in diet food.
Infusion and a decoction of herbs has antispasmodic, disinfectant, healing and anti-inflammatory properties. Basil is also used for diseases of the genitourinary system, especially in women. A decoction is often prescribed to lactating women to increase the amount of breast milk. In addition, regularly using basil, you will solve many digestive problems: increased gas, constipation and indigestion.
It is useful for men. Even the ancient Indians knew the valuable composition of the basil, which positively affects potency. The daily use of this greens improves the functioning of the internal organs, including the reproductive system, which increases the reproductive function and strengthens the drive.