Growing basil at home is a good idea to reduce some grocery expenses. Anyone can easily grow basil at home in containers and raised garden beds. Because growing and caring Basil does not require special gardening skills. Just follow this easy How to grow Basil guide to growing it in containers at home.
Give your basil plenty of Sunshine, fresh air, and moisture to get multiple heavy harvests every month.
Today you will learn How to grow basil at home in easy steps, what are the best varieties to grow, Some fast and easy methods of growing basil, Research on Basil Benefits and many more.
Some Interesting Facts about Basil
Basil is a medicinal herb with thousands of health benefits. It has been used in the medical industry for nearly 5,000 years ago. Consuming raw basil or adding it to food while cooking is completely safe you don’t need doctor’s advice before consuming it. Basil is one of nature’s best gifts to mankind.
Years ago, ancient people use this herb to cure fever, the common cold, and to improve immunity and digestion. The anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties protect our body from many harmful bacteria and viruses.
It has no side effects. All age groups can consume basil (7 years to 100 years).
Basil is highly recommended to those having low immunity. It improves the immune system and makes the body healthy and strong in a few days.
Long-term use of basil does not put any negative effect on the human body. People also use it to purify their blood.
You will be surprised to know that nowadays basil is the most important ingredient of top-selling high-quality face creams.
How to grow Basil at home?
Here you have two options one is growing from Basil seeds and the other is growing basil from cuttings. Choose any method both are equally effective. The only difference is grown basil from seeds take longer to grow than growing it from cuttings.
Where to start?
The first thing you need to know is the requirements of the Basil plant.
Light: Basil needs 6 to 8 hours of good bright light it can be direct Sunlight or light emitted by the grow lights. We have plenty of SUN light in the summer season but the problem comes in winter. When SUN doesn’t show up for several days. In this case, you need to take the help of indoor to-grow lights.
For basil and other similar herbs, you don’t need to buy high-end grow lights. Just a single 400 watts grow light in enough to grow 4 basil plants in the winter season. You also need to manage the temperature of the grow room where you start growing basil at your home.
Temperature: You cannot control the outside temperature therefore you need to wait for the basil season to grow it outside in your garden. But the good news is you can control the temperature of your grow room. This is the reason we always encourage our readers to grow herbs inside not in an outdoor garden. But it is your choice where you wanna grow it
Coming back on the topic,
Basil is warm crop means it like to grow in warm conditions. 26 to 30 Degrees C temperature is best to grow basil outside and inside your home. When the temperature of the garden soil raises to 18 C plant it outside.
Some of the growers make the mistake of putting out the plant too early. Remember that basil is sensitive to cold soil and air. Keep the basil seedlings inside until the outside weather conditions became suitable to grow basil plants.
Moisture: Basil plant needs a good amount of moisture in the soil which helps them to grow fast and healthy. But this doesn’t mean you need to give it lots of water.
The question is,
If frequent watering is harmful to basil then how you can give it a good amount of steady moisture?
The answer is, do not use soil, use potting mix, or 100% perlite because it holds the water content for a long time.
I use perlite to grow basil in containers.
There are two benefits of using perlite.
1. Perlite has well drainage properties. Therefore, it saves my plants from excess water.
2. It also has good moisture-holding capacity. This ensures the regular supply of moisture to my plants.
How to water Basil?
When you plant it in the outside garden then watering twice a week is enough. Because it will get a good amount of moisture from the soil.
Basil grown in containers need more water than garden-growing basil. Water your container basil every other day.
Before watering basil do a simple moisture check test by sticking your finger in the soil. If it feels dry give water immediately.
Well-Drained growing Medium: As is already mentioned above basil needs more moisture than other plants. But it does not like wet soggy soil. So, you need such a growing medium that has excellent drainage properties along with good moisture storing capacity.
Use perlite or other potting mixes specially made for Herb gardening.
Tips for heavy harvest
Feed: Once your seedlings are ready to transfer to a large container. mix the slow-releasing organic fertilizer to the potting mix. This will ensure the regular supply of essential nutrients to the basil plant and also encourage fast growth with a good harvest.
Pinch: The best and easy way to promote the growth of the basil plant is by pinching it. This technique stimulates the plant cells to produce more green leaves and flowers. So, pinch the basil a few times a week to promote the growth of new leaves.
Best Varieties of Basil
More than 50 types of basil varieties are available you can grow any of them at any time of the year. Indoor growing gives you the power to grow any herb plant whenever you want.
Every type of basil has its own taste. Choose your growing herb according to the taste or purpose of use.
Below are the few types which are popular all over the world.
1.Lemon Basil: If you like organic lemon tea then lemon basil is the perfect herb to grow. Moreover, it can also be used on salads as a side dressing.
2.Cinnamon Basil: It is clear from the name it has an aroma and taste of cinnamon.
3.Genovese basil: Mostly used in other recipes like making tomato-basil soups etc. if you like to have a cup of soup in the afternoon than choosing Genovese basil is a great idea.
Research on Basil Benefits
Basil has hundreds of benefits that are not possible to cover in a single post. Researchers are still studying this amazing herb to find out more about it. A recent study suggests that basil consumption protects our cells.
Japanese people live a long and healthy life than others in the world. In research, scientists have found that they eat basil that slows down the oxidation process of their body which increases their life.
Those working in radiology centers drink basil tea to protect themselves from the harmful effects of radiation. According to doctors, everyone should consume a cup of basil tea every day. we are also exposed to radiation of different types the most common type of radiation that affects our health is mobile waves. The mobile towers send frequency waves and mobile devices also send and receive these waves.
This puts a negative effect on our body and mind, consume basil in any from and protect your mind and body.
The antibacterial properties of basil are well-known to the entire world. In a lab test conducted in 2010 states that basil oil helps young and old people to fight against bacterial infection.
Ancient doctors recommend basil in various fungal infections. It is a natural antibiotic with no side effects and easy to consume daily.
When and How to harvest basil?
The harvesting method and time of harvesting basil is the same over the globe. Once the plant has enough developed leaves pinch them and use them according to your recipe. This stimulates the herb to produce more fresh leaves.
Some people only use green leaves while others use dry leaves and stems for later use. You can put the leaves of basil in your fridge for later use (use within 3 days). Once you cut the basil leaves the plant will produce more and more just after every cutting.
Bonus Tip: Once your plant reaches a good height, to stop it from growing further (vertically). Pluck the growing tip of the plant, this action will stop the vertical growth of the plant and will not affect the plant
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