We grow basil in the garden. Basil: growing from seeds in open ground and on a windowsill Basil growing from seeds when to plant

Basil, one of the favorite seasonings, was little known in the middle zone until recently, but has gained popularity in recent years. Every gardener tries to plant it on his plot. And although basil is a heat-loving crop, there is nothing difficult in planting and caring for it. Most often it is necessary to plant it in open ground as seedlings.

Choosing a place and soil for basil on the site

Basil came to us from India, a very warm country, so this herb is not adapted to cold weather and does not tolerate frost at all. However, basil has nevertheless gained popularity in our country due to its unpretentiousness and easy care: it grows wherever it is warm. It is planted not only in the garden, but also in greenhouses or open ground. You can successfully grow it in a city apartment, even in winter: in pots on a sunny windowsill, and on insulated balconies. At sufficient quantity moisture, heat and light, the harvest will be no less high-quality, beautiful and fragrant than in the open ground or in its homeland.

To obtain a good harvest, the soil for planting basil must be nutritious, and it especially loves organic fertilizers. That's why best predecessors for basil are vegetable plants, under which a lot of manure, humus or peat is always added:

cucumbers,
eggplants,
peppers.

Basil also grows well after peas, beans, and tomatoes. The garden bed should be arranged in a sunny place, protected from strong winds. Best soils- light and breathable, with neutral acidity. If the situation is different on the site, the soil is heavy and clayey, then sand should be added to the basil bed, and if it is strongly acidic, lime should be added.

Basil grows best in light but fertile soils.

It is advisable to prepare the bed in the fall, digging the soil well using a spade, removing perennial weeds and applying fertilizer. Does basil need mineral fertilizers? In principle, he will not refuse superphosphate with potassium nitrate. But do you need it? After all, we eat young, fragrant leaves for food. And even if they don’t swallow “any chemicals,” they will still think that we are not eating a completely environmentally friendly product. Therefore, if you have enough rotted manure or compost at your disposal, you can limit yourself to this. You can add half a bucket of organic matter per square meter, or even more. Of course, if a very high yield is of interest, mineral fertilizers are also applied. But it is better to do this in the spring, shortly before planting. In this case, nitrogen and potassium fertilizers are taken at 10–20 g per 1 m2, and superphosphate - twice as much. And don’t forget about the usual ash from burning wood residues. This is both fertilizer and protection from many pests. There is almost never too much ash in the garden. You can bury at least a liter jar of it per square meter.

Basil is useful not only for people, but also for most neighbors in the garden: its odorous substances repel many pests, especially aphids and spider mites. Therefore, where there are no problems with cultivating basil, several bushes of this herb are planted in each bed. Even mosquitoes don’t like the smell of basil, which is another reason to be sure to plant it on summer cottage. And many people prepare basil in dried form, because it copes with similar tasks quite well.

Basil is often planted at the edge of beds with other vegetables to help repel pests.

When and how to plant basil in the garden

When growing basil in a garden in an open area, both sowing its seeds directly into the ground and planting pre-prepared seedlings in holes is used. First of all, the choice of method is determined by the climate in the region, and also depends on how early we want to get the spicy harvest. useful plant. Of course, the seedling method of growing for any heat-loving crops is preferable in most regions of our country.

In any case, if you do not buy ready-made seedlings, the process begins with harvesting seeds and processing them. It is recommended to keep purchased seeds for about two weeks in a warm place, for example, near a radiator, before sowing. This will increase germination. Before planting, it is worth disinfecting the seeds in a dark solution of potassium permanganate. To grow seedlings in early spring, seeds are sown in boxes to a depth of 5–8 mm. IN ordinary apartment Basil shoots can be expected within ten days. Caring for seedlings - as in the case of most heat-loving plants. As a rule, the strongest specimens, after the appearance of a pair of true leaves, are dived into separate cups. If you don't do this, nothing bad will happen. Basil is not pepper or eggplant; you will still grow a fragrant herb. You just shouldn’t let the box get too thick: there’s no time to dive - you need to at least thin it out. The optimal basil seedlings for planting in open ground should have 4–6 true strong leaves. This usually happens towards the end of spring or beginning of summer.

Planting basil seedlings in open ground

The timing of planting basil seedlings in open ground is determined by its condition and the current weather. The estimated date in most regions is the end of May. Although it doesn’t happen from year to year. Even in the Saratov region in 2008, frosts killed everything in the gardens on June 9–10. But this, of course, is a cataclysm, without which life cannot do. It is important that by the time the seedlings are planted, the soil has warmed up to 14–16 degrees. It is advisable to choose a cloudy day for planting. If this does not work, after planting the bushes should be hidden from the sun's rays, covered with newspapers, grass or, better yet, light spunbond.

Good basil seedlings should have at least four well-formed leaves

The planting technique is simple, especially if each basil bush has grown in a separate container. It is more convenient to plant in moist soil, so if there has been no rain for a long time, the bed should be watered from a watering can with water at normal temperature. It's better if she warmed up in the sun. Maintain a distance of 20–30 cm between plants (depending on the variety and availability of space in the garden bed). The planting depth is approximately the same as that at which the plant is accustomed to living in a glass, maybe a little deeper. You should not bury the leaves in the ground, as we often do with tomato seedlings. Immediately after planting, you need to carefully water each bush with about one liter of warm water from a ladle. It is advisable to immediately mulch with a small layer of humus or at least dry soil.

Video: picking seedlings into the garden bed

June sowing of seeds in open ground

In most regions of the country, sowing basil seeds directly into open ground is quite possible. True, it will be possible to count on a serious harvest only by the end of summer. Only in the south can you sow without fear at the beginning of May, and in the middle zone - only closer to the beginning of June. The guideline is approximately the same as for planting seedlings: the end of the season of possible frosts and the soil warming up to 15 degrees. Of course, provided that a covering material is used (spunbond, lutrasil, or, at worst, a well-deserved plastic film), you can postpone the sowing date by two weeks back. But if we don’t want to deal with covering, we look at the weather and the condition of the soil: after all, polyethylene will need to be removed immediately after the first shoots appear, and non-woven materials - a week after them.

Basil seeds (germination up to five years) are black and very small. Sowing individually, as some gardeners advise, is a hassle. There is little point in this. You can, like carrot seeds, mix them with sand so that they are not too thick, but you still have to sow them in an ordinary way. Do I need to soak the seeds before sowing? You can, of course, even in a solution of a growth stimulator, for 5–8 hours. But after this they must be dried until they flow, otherwise it will be very difficult to sow. And we must take into account that soaked seeds will sprout several days faster.

Basil seeds are beautiful, but small, and you have to sow them not one by one, but in a row

Sowing is carried out in shallow trenches made with a hoe. A distance of 30–35 cm is maintained between the trenches. If it is dry, the trenches should be well watered from a watering can without a strainer. After sowing, immediately sprinkle with soil and trample down. Depth - as in the case of sowing seedlings: a centimeter or less. Watering after sowing is not advisable for most soil types: a crust will form and it will become dry at a depth of 1 cm. If the trenches are well drained, there should be enough moisture for the seeds to germinate.

In two weeks, there should already be friendly shoots on the beds, and as soon as you can grab them by the top, you should do the first thinning. First, we leave a distance of about 10 cm between the plants. When the time comes for the second thinning, up to 20–30 cm, some bushes may die. In addition, by thinning the second time, we will be able to enjoy a little of the delicious leaves. And there’s no need to pull it out ahead of time: these are the vitamins we wanted to get! Further care both in the case of sowing seeds and planting seedlings, is the same.

Caring for Basil

Caring for basil plantings is simple: regular watering, weeding, loosening. Watering should be regular, but without waterlogging, preferably in the evening. Still, basil is a bit of a capricious herb: it does not tolerate drying out of the soil or stagnation of water in the garden. Many gardeners add urea to irrigation water from time to time (1 tablespoon per bucket). Perhaps this is the only fertilizer that can be safely recommended for feeding basil. It stimulates leaf growth well and, in a highly diluted form, is completely harmless to environment. The use of saltpeter for feeding green plants is less desirable. But if the bed was well filled organic fertilizers, you can usually do without fertilizing.

To increase the splendor of the bush, after the appearance of 5-7 strong leaves, you can pinch the top, that is, bite it off with your fingernail. Then new shoots will appear above each of the remaining leaves, and the fragrant harvest will be much higher: the bush can produce up to 15 side shoots, each of which, in turn, also branches. If you do not want to receive seeds for sowing next year, then when the inflorescences appear, they should be cut off immediately. Basil usually blooms in the second half of summer, and it blooms long and profusely.

On flowering bush the leaves are especially fragrant, but coarse, and there are few of them: the plant’s energy is spent on flowering

Basil, if properly cared for and in good weather, produces a fragrant harvest until the onset of autumn frosts. Each time you cut off the leaves for consumption, you must also monitor the emerging flowers: if they are not cut off, the yield is sharply reduced. If we are talking about a harvest “for yourself, for barbecue,” then several leaves can be plucked almost every day. If the goal is to obtain large yields, then it is actually harvested twice per season: before flowering and at the end of summer. In this case, almost all the leaves are cut off, leaving only a little at the bottom of the shoots. When autumn comes, the bushes, if they are still in good condition, can even be carefully dug up, transplanted into a pot and placed in an apartment for the winter. The harvest will continue to arrive.

Features of planting in open ground in the Moscow region

The Moscow region, like the entire central zone of Russia, is characterized by weather instability. However, her summer whims are not an obstacle to growing basil. The warmth in the summer months is quite sufficient, and there is usually even more rain. Therefore, the only question can be how to plant. The answer is also simple: exclusively seedlings. Sowing seeds, of course, is possible, but the harvest from the seeds will only be obtained closer to autumn, and the period of consumption of fragrant green and purple leaves will be short. If a gardener does not have time to grow seedlings in the spring, they can easily be purchased at finished form, and even in a pot, which is very easy to bury in the ground on the site.

The best varieties of basil for planting in central Russia, including the Moscow region, are Yerevansky and Small-leaved. The first produces beautiful blue-violet bushes 40–60 cm tall. The second has small green leaves, the bush is slightly lower.

The Yerevan variety does not produce the most luxurious bush, but is very suitable for growing in the middle zone

Seeds are sown in boxes two months before seedlings are planted in the ground; for the Moscow region this is the beginning of April. Seedlings are grown as usual. The warmest, well-fertilized beds are reserved for planting basil in the garden. Seedlings with 4–6 leaves are planted in open ground after the end of the threat of frost. The most reliable thing is not earlier than June 10. If there are greenhouses or greenhouses on the site, you can do this earlier, but we must remember that basil requires a lot of sunny color, and it feels much worse in shelters. But in the Moscow region, cloudy days are already quite common!

Peduncles should be cut off as soon as they begin to appear. Moreover, in the climatic conditions of the Moscow region, basil seeds practically do not ripen anyway.

Basil is one of the healthiest herbs, has a unique aroma and improves the taste of both salads and many first and second courses. Growing basil is not as easy as, for example, dill or sorrel, but it is quite possible. And if you haven’t had this interesting spice on your site yet, you should definitely try adding it there.

The high popularity of basil grown in summer cottages is largely due not only to its excellent qualities as an aromatic spice, but also to its decorative properties. By the way, this wonderful-smelling herb is also planted to repel pests in the garden. So don’t delay planting it, because you can grow early basil only by first sowing the seeds for seedlings. Read on to learn how to do this correctly.

Planting basil seeds for seedlings: varieties, timing, required containers and soil

The most popular varieties of basil, depending on the ripening period, are:

Early (40-50 days): Dwarf, Green Fragrant, Pearl of the Moscow Region, Lemon and Clove;
Average (60-70 days): Caramel, Enchanter, Moskvoretsky, Orion and Vanilla Aroma;
Late (80-90 days): Moorish, Table, Marquis, Charm and Dreamer.

Depending on the color, basil can also be green or purple.

Video: how to grow basil - overview of varieties

When to plant seedlings: depending on the region, variety, according to the lunar calendar

Basil is a fairly heat-loving crop; planting it in open ground should not be rushed. Therefore, if you want to get early and high-quality greens, and also extend the time of its “fruiting” (of course, if you regularly pinch it), it is better to first plant basil seeds for seedlings.

As a rule, you need to plant basil seedlings approximately 9-11 weeks before the expected time of transplanting the plant into the garden bed. Why exactly so much time? Firstly, 1-2 weeks, as a rule, are spent waiting for the first shoots to appear, secondly, the seedlings must grow to an acceptable size - this is another 7-8 weeks, thirdly, if you dive, then feel free to add more 1 week for the seedlings to take root in the new location. Therefore, if you live in the middle zone (for example, the Moscow region), then the optimal time to start planting for you will be the second half of March - the beginning of April, just by the end of May the seedlings can be planted in well-warmed soil. If you have a warmer climate, then the timing shifts - you can start sowing as early as February, and by May the seedlings will be completely ready.

The timing of sowing basil seedlings is also significantly influenced by the crop variety. So, it is better to plant middle and late varieties earlier, but there is no point in rushing with early ones, because... overgrown seedlings do not take root well in a new place, and if you plant them ahead of time, they will simply freeze and not be accepted.

According to the lunar calendar in 2019

It can help you choose the optimal date for sowing crops Moon calendar.

Favorable days according to the lunar calendar for planting basil in 2019 are:

in February - 6-8, 15-17, 23-25;
in March - 8-12, 15-17, 27-29;
in April - 6-13, 15-18, 24-26, 29, 30;
in May - 1-4, 8-10, 12-14, 17, 18, 21-23, 26-31;
in June - 5, 6, 9-15, 22-25;
in July - 10-12, 20-22, 29-31;
in August - 2-8, 11-13, 17, 18, 26-28;
in September - 1-5, 7-10;
in October - there are no favorable dates;
in November - 1-3, 6-8, 15-18, 24, 25.

But you should also take into account the periods of the new moon and full moon, since when sowing at this time the seedlings will turn out weak and elongated. Therefore, there are days when planting basil should be done absolutely not possible:

in February - 4, 5, 19;
in March - 6, 7, 21;
in April - 5, 19;
in May - 5, 19;
in June - 3, 4, 17;
in July - 2, 3, 17;
in August - 15, 16, 30, 31;
in September - 14, 15, 28, 29;
in October - 14, 28;
in November - 12, 13, 26,27.

Therefore, it is necessary to pre-plan the days for sowing and prepare for them in advance.

According to lunar calendar from the magazine “1000 tips for a summer resident.”

Containers and soil

When choosing a container for sowing basil, first of all, think about how much you will need and where you will place it. If you have a lot of space and you want to grow a large crop, then plant in large wooden or plastic boxes, special cassettes for seedlings. Also suitable are peat tablets and the most common disposable cups, used containers for sour cream, yogurt or carton boxes from milk.

For successful cultivation Basil seedlings will need loose and light soil, in other words, it should be nutritious and breathable.

As always, you can buy soil for seedlings at a garden store, or you can be a little fussy and prepare it yourself.

Optimal composition The soil mixture should consist of the following components:

2 parts humus or well-rotted compost;
4 parts peat;
1 part sand.

You can also use the following soil mixture:

1 part of garden land;
1 part peat;
1 part humus.

The resulting substrate must first be sifted (so that there are no lumps in it), and then steamed in a water bath or heated in the oven for 60 minutes. This heat treatment will rid the soil of fungal diseases and weed seeds contained in the soil.

When using ready-made store-bought soil, it is enough to simply spill it with a saturated solution of potassium permanganate or a special disinfectant, for example the most famous brands- “Maxim” or .

Planting methods

Phased classic way sowing basil seeds for seedlings:

The planting container is filled with soil mixture to a depth of 5-6 cm, then compacted.
The seeds are spread evenly over the surface of the soil.
Lightly sprinkle with 5-10 mm of soil.
Water generously but carefully from a spray bottle. Do not allow the seeds to be accidentally washed away.
All that remains is to cover the future seedlings. To do this, you can use glass, shoe cover or transparent plastic film or package. And place it in a warm (temperature should be in the range of 20-25 degrees) and bright place (south window sill).

More in an original way planting can be sowing basil seeds in snails. To learn how to do this correctly, watch the following video:

An even newer and more effective (according to some summer residents) way of sowing basil is to plant it in shoe covers, all the information about which you will get from the video below:

Caring for basil seedlings after planting

Growing basil seedlings can hardly be called a very simple and banal task. After all, you constantly need to control the temperature and properly water the crops, because... it is very demanding on heat and soil moisture.

Friendly shoots, as a rule, appear after a week or a week and a half. As soon as the basil sprouts, the cover can be removed. Now you need to maintain a slightly lower temperature - somewhere around +16-20 degrees. This way the seedlings will not stretch. You can also prevent stretching by providing additional lighting to the seedlings (phytolamps or economical LED lamps), thereby extending the daylight hours to the recommended 12 hours.

About a week after emergence, for better growth, young seedlings can be fertilized with wood ash by preparing a solution at the rate of 10 grams of ash per 1 liter of warm water.

Note! Excessive moisture can cause damage to basil. black leg, so it is important to ensure that after watering, excess water does not stagnate in the pan.

Video: caring for basil seedlings, watering

Picking

You can start picking basil seedlings after the plant has 2 true leaves.

You can use the same soil mixture for picking, except add a couple of spoons of wood ash and one spoon of complex soil mixture (per 5 liters of soil). mineral fertilizer and then mix thoroughly.

By the way! To ensure that seedlings are easily removed from the soil, the seedlings should be moistened abundantly before picking.

The basil picking goes through standard scheme: containers are filled with earth, then compacted, depressions are made in which the young seedling will be placed, soil is added and the soil is slightly compacted again. Now all that remains is to perform the final watering.

Important! After picking, it is recommended to put the seedlings in a cooler place!

Video: picking basil

Care after picking

Further care for basil seedlings after picking consists of regular watering, several feedings and mandatory pinching of shoots.

Top dressing

If basil develops normally, the seedlings are usually fed for the first time immediately after picking. For this, a complex nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer is used at the rate of 10 grams of product per 1 liter of water. Subsequently, basil is fertilized once every 2 weeks.

Reminder! Nitrogen stimulates the growth of leaves, and phosphorus and potassium have a positive effect on the content of essential oil in the green mass.

It is worth remembering that basil develops quite moderately at the beginning of its growth, so you should not rush it too much and constantly fertilize it. An overabundance can be much worse than mineral starvation of a seedling.

Pinching

When the basil has the 5th-6th true leaf, it is recommended to pinch the shoots. This way the greens will not stretch out, but will begin to branch better and produce more fragrant leaves. Actually, this is what the main objective growing basil, right?

You will need to pinch the basil again when it begins to bloom. In addition to the flowers, you should also pinch a few leaves underneath them.

When and how to plant basil seedlings in open ground

10-14 days before planting in open ground, basil seedlings should begin to be taken out Fresh air or a balcony for hardening purposes.

As a rule, the time for planting basil in open ground occurs when the ground warms up to 15 degrees, that is, this occurs in May-early June, depending on the climatic zone of the region.

Choose a place for growing basil that is maximally illuminated and protected from cold winds.

However, in the middle zone of the fragrant spice there is often not enough heat, which is why it grows slowly. Therefore, you can plant it in a greenhouse or in a temporary mini-greenhouse made of covering material stretched over small arcs. Even more simple solution there will be night shelter for newly planted seedlings.

It will be useful to plant basil next to peppers, tomatoes or cucumbers. So the neighboring plant, thanks to him phytoncidal properties, will be under reliable protection from various kinds of insects and pests (for example, from the same aphids).

Basil will grow well only on light, airy and nutritious soils: clay and infertile soils will not suit it. Therefore, before planting, add a little humus or compost to the soil, as well as sand and peat if it is excessively clayey.

Basil seedlings are planted directly with a ball of earth.

The distance between neighboring bushes should be 25-30 cm for tall varieties, 15-20 cm for more compact varieties. Leave 20-30 cm between rows.

Immediately after transplanting into the garden, the bushes should be watered generously.

By the way! You can grow basil on a windowsill, read more about this

Video: planting basil seedlings in the garden

Caring for basil after planting in the ground

Further care and cultivation of basil in open ground in the garden includes regular watering, fertilizing and loosening the soil.

In order for basil to quickly grow fragrant green leaves, it needs a large number of life-giving moisture, which means watering should be regular and plentiful.

Factors contributing to the active growth of green mass are also timely pinching flower stalks and fertilizing nitrogen fertilizers, which should be carried out at least once every 4-5 weeks.

Reminder! Nitrogen fertilizers stimulate the growth of green mass of all plants.

If you follow these recommendations exactly, the basil will develop well and produce a lot of useful greens until the first frost.

Advice! The more often and more you pick off leaves, the sooner new ones will appear.

Thus, growing excellent basil spice through seedlings until the first harvest requires attention, accuracy and patience.

Video: growing basil from seeds - from seedlings to planting in open ground

In contact with

The grass got its name from Greek word, which means "king". It has a bitter taste and a minty-pepper aroma. It is a popular seasoning in Mediterranean cuisine. The famous Italian pesto sauce is prepared using basil. In France, its combination with tomatoes is a culinary canon. Later in this article we will talk about the proper cultivation of this wonderful herb in the country house or garden. Let's find out how and when to plant seeds in open ground. How to pick, transplant or plant the first shoots.

The Ancient History of Purple and Red Basil

People have been using basil for 5,000 years. Both in cooking and in medicine. Basil tea calms the nerves and tones the body. It is drunk to relieve stomach colic. It improves the functioning of the liver and gall bladder.

The homeland of the grass is Africa. It appeared in Russia in the 18th century. Back then, popular tonics and cosmetic masks were made on its basis, which are still popular today.

Basil in a pot closeup

Description of the bush

Basil is an annual plant with oblong, short-petioled leaves. The stem reaches an average length of 60 cm. The root is branching and located close to the surface. The leaves, like the stem, are covered with hairs. The flowers are white, pale pink. The fruits are dark, nut-like, ripen in groups of 4 and remain viable for 5 years.

How many varieties can you plant in your dacha?

There are many varieties of grass, more than a hundred. Sweet basil is the most popular of them. In Africa, basil grows with blue leaves, called camphor. In Mexico it is cinnamon, and in southeast Asia it is lemon. There is a species with purple leaves. Its aroma is weak compared to green, but for its rich color it is often used in decorating dishes.

Preparing seedlings at home in spring

Seeds are planted into seedlings at the end of March. They are soaked briefly before planting. Two hours is enough warm water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate. For seedlings, containers with a depth of 10 cm or more, pots or flower boxes are suitable. Drainage is laid at the bottom, sprinkle it on top with a soil mixture (proportions 4:2:1) from:

peat
humus
sand

Furrows 1 cm deep are made in the ground, into which the seeds are placed.. Sprinkle with earth and irrigate with a sprayer, and then cover with film or glass.

Containers with seeds are placed in a warm place. At this stage, it is important to properly care for the seedlings:

Once a day, remove the film or glass and ventilate it briefly (15 minutes is enough)
remove condensation from the inside
easily moisten the soil

Basil flower

In a week the first shoots will appear. This is a sign that it is time to open the seedlings. When the sprouts have their first full leaf, they are planted at a distance of 5 cm from each other. When the fifth leaf appears, the top of the sprouts is pinched. This will give the plant more foliage.

At the end of May, sprouts sprouted at home are planted in open ground. It is important that the plants have 5 formed leaves. Until they appear, you can wait to plant.

Before planting, the seedlings are taken out of the room and left for outdoors so that it hardens. Start with 15 minutes and gradually increase the time spent outside to several hours. Hardening begins a week before transplantation.

How to plant seeds or seedlings in open ground

Basil dies from low temperatures. Therefore, seedlings are planted on permanent place when there are no morning frosts. The best time to plant vegetable seeds in the spring is mid-May. You can choose any scheme for sowing.

The soil for grass needs to be fertile, air- and moisture-permeable. The soil is fertilized before planting. 2 kg of humus, peat and compost are added per 1 m2.

The sprouts are planted at a distance of 40 cm from each other, in holes 10 cm deep. Before planting, the holes are watered abundantly.

You cannot plant basil in the same place two years in a row. This will lead to the appearance of brown spots on the leaves and the death of the plantings. The reason for this is the disease fusarium. It is caused by fungi that live in the soil for a long time. Between planting herbs, the soil “rests” for 5 years.

Growing and caring for green basil shoots in the garden

Basil grown in a barrel

Basil needs to be watered with warm, settled water. Experienced gardeners They build a large plastic barrel for this. During the day, the water in the barrel will heat up and settle. By evening it is suitable for watering.

It is important not to overwater the sprouts. The soil should be slightly moist. If there is excess moisture, the plant will be affected by blackleg.

Grass grows well when fed with nitrogen fertilizers. The first feeding occurs two weeks after planting.

To increase the green mass of sprouts, in addition to pinching the tops, flowers are cut off from them.

The soil around the plants is loosened and weeded to remove weeds. During the summer season, 6-7 times are enough. After weeding and loosening, the sprouts are watered abundantly.

Harvesting crops in the garden

Basil leaves are collected before flowering. Then the concentration in them essential oils and vitamins peak. An unripe bud is a sign for collecting leaves.

The grass blooms before the first autumn days. Do not forget that this is a heat-loving plant. Before the first frost occurs, it is transplanted into a greenhouse or into a house. Grass grows without problems in a pot for indoor flowers. It decorates the house and fills the premises with a spicy aroma.

Proper drying

After harvesting, the crop is dried:

On open air. The leaves are washed, debris removed and laid out on a towel. When the water has drained, place them on a baking sheet. It is better to tie a large harvest in bunches and hang it on a rope in a warm room without direct sunlight.
In the oven. Place the washed and dried leaves on a baking sheet in an oven preheated to 400˚C. Drying will take 2 hours.
In the microwave. At full power, drying will take 3 minutes.

Readiness is determined manually. Dried herbs crumble easily in your hands. It is stored in dry glass jars or paper bags.

Basil plant care

Freezing whole leaves

They are washed and dipped in boiling water for 3 seconds. Then cool in cold water. Dry a little on a towel and put into bags in small portions. Then put in freezer.

Quick freezing of chopped leaves

They are washed, finely chopped and filled with water. Water is poured into molds and placed in the freezer. If you use olive oil instead of water, you will get an excellent preparation for frying in a frying pan.

Basil seeds

Basil has long been known to man. It takes pride of place in the cuisine of many countries: Greece, France, Italy and Thailand. In Transcaucasia, it even received its own name - regan.

It contains vitamins:

C (reduces blood cholesterol levels)
B (riboflavin, good for eyes)
PP (nicotinic acid for healthy skin and gastric mucosa)

Due to the presence of mercury compounds in basil, it is dangerous to consume in large quantities. During pregnancy, diabetes and heart disease, the herb can be harmful to health. Everything is good in moderation, including basil.

Growing red basil in your garden is easy. The plant is unpretentious and requires little care and attention. You can sow it almost half of May. The plant does not always need picking. In addition, the plant germinates quickly and grows quickly. The harvest is easy to harvest and prepare. To diversify the table and pamper yourself as the “king” of herbs, it won’t take much effort and time.

Basil - planting and care in open ground

Basil (lat. Ocimum) - herbaceous plant brought from India, it is classified as a member of the Lamiaceae (lat. Lamiaceae) crops. Depending on the variety, it is an annual or perennial herbaceous shrub. The plant is very beneficial for the human body; it is used as a spicy and flavoring additive in dried and fresh form.

Basil: varieties, photos

Basil has more than 70 varieties and hundreds of varieties, differing in bush size and leaf shape, color and aroma.

Basil - planting and caring for your site

Sweet basil (lat. Ocimum basilcum)

The bushes grow up to 0.7 m. The plant is abundantly covered with foliage, which is used for food and has a delicate peppery aroma. The stem is covered with fine fluff. Varieties preferred by Russian gardeners: Mammoth, Magical Michael, Ararat.

Fragrant basil repels pests

Purple basil or Regan (lat. Ocimum basilicum var. purpureum)

The maximum plant height is 0.5 m. The entire surface of the basil is bright purple with iridescent shades and has a very mild aroma. Varieties most famous in the Moscow region: Purple, Mauritanian, Zastolny.

Purple basil leaves are tastier and more tender than green basil leaves

Lemon basil (lat. Ocimum basilicum var. citriodorum)

Low-growing basil, up to 0.35 m. The leaves have a subtle smell of lemon and camphor. Proven varieties: New, Lemon, Moscow Bogatyr.

Lemon basil is especially prized for its citrusy scent.

Black basil

The bushes are low-growing up to 0.3 m. The leaves are painted in a dark, rich color and have a pronounced burning aroma. Varieties: Ruby Cairo, Bakinsky, Osmin.

Black basil tastes like hot garlic How to choose basil seeds

When growing spices in your summer cottage for your own consumption, there is no need for a large number of seeds, but they must be of high quality. It is not recommended to prepare planting material yourself. Since the crop is heat-loving, seeds collected in cold regions will not have high germination rates. It is recommended to purchase seeds produced in India, since India is the birthplace of the crop and is best suited for climatic conditions.

It is recommended to order basil seeds from India Basil - planting and care in open ground

Basil prefers warm conditions and does not tolerate cold weather. The full growing season of the plant is 160 days, so if you want to enjoy spicy herbs as early as possible, you will have to grow seedlings.

Basil: growing in seedlings

Growing Basil seedling method start in mid-April. You can sow seeds both in seedling boxes and in heated greenhouses.

Growing basil seedlings

Growing basil in open ground consists of the following procedures:

the grains must be heated to 40 degrees Celsius;
soak in a growth stimulator for 7-8 hours;
lightly dry the seeds and place them in prepared soil to a depth of 1 cm;
cover with film, moisten regularly, but do not overwater.

The approximate period of “black earth” before the seeds sprout is from 7 to 10 days. Ready seedlings for planting in open ground must reach one month of age.

Basil: growing from seeds in open ground

If the seedless method is used, the seeds are sown in the soil after May 15, when they will no longer be afraid of night frosts. The bed must be covered with film or agrofibre until the plants reach 2 weeks of age.

The culture loves open and sunny terrain, but protected from the cold wind, and light, fertile soil. It is not recommended to sow basil twice in a row in the same place. The crop grows well after: potatoes, tomatoes, legumes, cucumbers.

Good development of basil is facilitated by regular weeding of plantings to remove weeds. It is necessary to aerate the soil surface by loosening it, and also water it as it dries. Do not forget to feed the plants with nitrogen fertilizers once a month. The first feeding should be done 2 weeks after planting the seedlings. This is what caring for basil in the open ground consists of.

compliance with crop rotation;
disinfection planting material potassium permanganate;
moderate watering;
dusting the plantings with ash once a week;
removing diseased plants along with a clod of earth.

Basil harvest time

When assembling greens, it is worth considering that at different periods of the growing season it contains different quantities essential oils. It is recommended to carry out the first harvest of basil before flowering in July, and the second - in September. The tops of the shoots are carefully plucked off along with the leaves, without damaging or pulling out the entire plant.

When collecting basil leaves, pinch the tops of the shoots. Growing basil on the windowsill.

Without special effort You can grow basil at home. To do this, you will need a container with a depth of at least 30 cm. Seeds are sown at the end of March in boxes or pots. It is better to choose low-growing varieties.

How to grow basil at home:

drainage must be placed at the bottom of the container;
can be used garden soil, or purchase soil marked “for vegetables and herbs”;
before sowing, the seeds are soaked in growth stimulants;
the soil for sowing must be warm;
young plantings must be covered with film;
the optimal air temperature for this crop is plus 25-28 degrees Celsius.

Growing basil at home on a windowsill

When 4-5 pairs of leaves are formed on a young sprout, you can pinch the top - this will limit the growth of the plant in height and stimulate active branching. Caring for homemade basil is similar: regular watering, loosening and fertilizing.

Bottom line

Basil, although a heat-loving crop, is grown without much effort by gardeners even in the northern regions of Russia. With proper care and compliance with preventive measures, you can easily grow aromatic and very healthy greens on your own site, or at home.

If you ask residents of the northern regions what spices they sow on their plots, you will most often hear standard answers: dill, parsley, anise, cumin. Few people know that growing basil in open ground from seeds is not at all difficult, and its taste is simply excellent.

Mystical superstitions are partly to blame for this: in the Middle Ages, Europeans considered this herb a cursed plant, the smell of which alone had a bad effect on humans. Some people are afraid that a southern guest in a cold area will require complex care. Nowadays it’s hard to imagine Italian or French cuisine without such spice. Russian chefs also appreciated the taste and aroma of basil; it is added to many dishes.

Why do you need basil on the plot?

Exist different types basil, when buying seeds, pay attention to their features:

Sweet basil has a tart taste and aroma reminiscent of cloves.
Purple basil is a favorite spice of the peoples of the Caucasus, where it is called “regan”; greens are used for cooking, and the seeds are sprinkled on finished dishes. Large juicy leaves, colored purple, have a delicate taste.
Lemon basil is named for its lemon aroma and flavor. A very productive species, if provided with good care, can produce up to 250 g of leaves per bush.

Basil is not only tasty, but also healthy. During the growing season, many vitamins, microelements, and essential oils accumulate in the leaves. It has a beneficial effect on the nervous and excretory systems and has an anti-inflammatory effect. The bush itself looks very attractive; it can be planted in a flower bed as an ornamental plant.

Advice! When adding basil to dishes, use moderation. Too many leaves can completely drown out the taste of other foods.

The aroma of basil drives away fruit trees pests. You can plant the spice in tree trunk circles, and you won’t need chemical insecticides. In the relaxing corners surrounded by fragrant bushes, you can calmly read and take a nap: neither flies nor mosquitoes will disturb your peace. Grow the spice from seeds in pots on the windowsill: you will get both an air flavor in the apartment and a natural insecticide.

Growing basil seedlings

To ensure that spicy leaves appear on your table as early as possible, grow basil from seeds through seedlings. Take equal amounts of garden soil, peat and humus, pour the mixture with a fertilizer solution:

water – 5 l,
superphosphate – 0.5 teaspoons,
potassium chloride – 0.5 teaspoon,
urea – 0.5 teaspoon,
potassium sulfate – 0.5 teaspoon.

Fill the boxes with soil, sow the seeds and plant them to a depth of 1 cm.

Cover the containers with glass or film and put them in a warm place. The best temperature for seed germination is from +25⁰ to +28⁰. Shoots will appear in a week, but mold and fungi may develop earlier, so ventilate the plantings every day. When you see green sprouts, open the box and move it to a place where it is about 8⁰ cooler: in extreme heat, the seedlings stretch out. There will be enough food for the seedlings until picking; the main care for them is proper watering. In dry soil, seedlings will die, and in too wet soil they may develop blackleg. As soon as you notice suspicious signs in at least one plant, remove it and treat all seedlings with a mixture of 1 liter of water and 0.5 teaspoon copper sulfate.

When 2 true leaves appear, the seedlings need to be planted in individual pots. Be careful not to damage the delicate roots; it is better to plant the sprouts with a small lump of earth. Caring for seedlings is the same as for seedlings: the main attention should be paid to watering. Monitor the condition of the soil in the garden: planting basil in open ground is possible when the ground warms up to +15⁰. A week before transplanting, take the seedlings outdoors. The temperature during “walks” should not be lower than +10⁰.

If you did not have time to grow seedlings from seeds in the spring, you can plant basil seeds in open ground in June. To speed up germination, water the furrows with a growth stimulator. Cover the bed with film or non-woven material, the shelter can be removed only after germination. In the northern regions, where frosts occur already in August, it is undesirable to plant this way; you may not wait for the harvest.

Planting basil in the garden

For a spice plantation you need to choose a sunny place in fertile soils. The plant does not like waterlogged soil; low-lying areas need drainage. If you plant a plant in wet, heavy clay, you won’t get many fragrant leaves, the bush will be stunted and will soon die; no amount of care will help it. Do you have a wonderful place where, over the past few years, basil has produced abundant harvests both from seedlings and from seedlings? You will have to look for another area: the land may be contaminated with fusarium, which will destroy new plantings. You need to plant crops resistant to this disease there for at least 5 years, then you can return the spice to its old place.

Each region has its own timing for planting basil seedlings in open ground. This is a heat-loving plant; you need to navigate by the weather when the threat of frost passes. It’s better to take your time and plant young shoots in early June: care will become much easier, you won’t need to protect the seedlings from frost, and you’ll have time to harvest. Just in case, provide the ability to quickly protect the plantings from the cold.

Remember the spice plant's love for the lungs? fertile soils and add 2 kg of compost, peat and black soil per m2 for planting. It is advisable to plant young plants in the evening. You can do this in the morning if you are sure that the day will be cloudy, or cover the seedlings from direct sunlight. Place containers of water in an open, sunny place in advance so that the irrigation liquid is warm.

In the garden bed, mark the rows at a distance of 30 cm from each other and dig holes every 15-20 cm, the depth of the holes should be from 7 to 10 cm. If you plant too often, the plants will become crowded and care will be difficult. Throw a few hydrogel granules under each bush to keep the soil moisture stable. Plant the seedlings and water the soil well. Cover the row spacing with a 5 cm thick layer of peat, compost or sawdust.

Caring for a heat-loving plant

Caring for basil in open ground does not require any new skills. Remember that the plant loves moisture, but cannot live in waterlogged soil. If you made good drainage before planting or added hydrogel to the ground, you don’t have to worry about overwatering when watering. Monitor the condition of the soil: as soon as it starts to dry out, you need to moisten the bed. Use warm water: sudden changes in temperature cause severe stress to plants.

For plants to develop well, they need all the nutrients and trace elements. Dense greenery appears when there is enough nitrogen in the soil; use complex fertilizers with a predominance of this component. Do the first feeding 2 weeks after transplantation. Carry out further care according to the following scheme: fertilize once a month throughout the season - and you will always have fresh, juicy leaves on the table.

The plant needs good soil structure, so if you have not mulched the bed, you will have to use the cultivator quite often. Cover the soil with compost, grass clippings or sawdust with a layer of at least 5 cm, and the soil will be loose and weeds will not break through. Sprinkle the bed thin layer mulch does not make sense, the weeds will be able to break through to the light. If you have little material, it is better to cover half the bed well than to cover all the plantings somehow. You will still make your work easier: caring for a properly treated area will become very simple.

Advice! Never mulch a bed with sown seeds: the seedlings will not have enough light to grow. Wait until the seedlings reach a height of 7-8 cm and then fill the rows.

The more branched the basil is, the more green it will produce. When buds appear, cut them off, and all the plant’s energy will be used to form new shoots and young leaves. You can pick greens for preparing salads all season long, but the spicy plant reaches its peak taste and aroma when the first buds appear, then you can start harvesting. When harvesting, be careful not to rip off the leaves with a strong tug.

You could pull an entire bush out of the ground, and it could still give you a lot of greenery. Carefully break off or cut off the young ends of the shoots with leaves. The spice should be dried in a warm, ventilated place away from direct sunlight. Collecting seeds for planting next year should be done from the strongest and most productive plants.

Advice! In the fall, dig up a basil bush and plant it in a flower pot. The plant grows well on a windowsill, and you will be eating fresh herbs all winter.

Conclusion

Southern basil can be grown from seeds in almost all regions of our country, except Far North. In open ground it can exist when the soil warms up to +15⁰, and on the coldest nights the temperature does not drop below +7⁰. To quickly enjoy the fragrant leaves, grow the spicy crop through seedlings. Do not overdo it with watering young seedlings so that they do not get sick with blackleg.

When fertilizing, it is very important that nitrogen is present in the fertilizers. It makes the leaves thicker and fleshier. Only strong, healthy, productive specimens are suitable for collecting seeds. Purple varieties are not inferior in taste to green ones, and can be used as ornamental crops for flower garden decoration. Learn to use spices correctly when preparing dishes, and your table will become more tasty and healthy.

Fresh and dried herbs are the best seasonings for delicious and healthy dishes: salads, soups, fish, pasta and meat.

For example, basil, adored by all culinary specialists, can be grown not only in garden bed, but also on the windowsill. Let's learn how to grow this aromatic spice, rich in essential oils and other beneficial substances, in different conditions.

Basil: growing from seeds on a windowsill

Do you want to receive vitamin-rich spicy greens all year round? Then let's get down to growing basil at home. This unpretentious plant grows well in flower pots, if the necessary conditions are created for him.

What you need to grow basil in an apartment

To get a home source of healthy greens, we stock up on the following things:

Seeds of the best varieties suitable for home cultivation.
Universal primer.
Drainage.
Plastic containers or pots with holes in the bottoms.
A water sprayer to spray the plants later, and a watering can.

If you want to grow basil in a pot, it can only be grown from seeds of varieties that are classified as low-growing ornamental.

Which varieties are suitable for growing?

"Dwarf". Forms a mini-bush no more than 20 cm high with small foliage, collected into a ball. The leaves are green or purple in color and have a distinct spicy-pungent taste.
"Marquis". A small bush (ball-shaped) of mid-early ripening with small tasty leaves.
"Violet". A plant with beautiful large purple-violet leaves. The leaves, which have the most delicate taste, will decorate and enrich any salad or other dish.
"Citric". Rare plant, forming a small bush of pale green leaves that exude a distinct lemon scent.
"Yerevan". A low bush with spicy blue-violet leaves. The leaves emit aromas of tea and pepper.
"Clove". A beautiful bush in the shape of a ball of green foliage. The leaves have a laurel-clove aroma and tart taste.

Plants of the varieties “Dwarf”, “Gvozdichny” and “Lemon” are the first to be ready for cutting.

How to grow basil at home

Growing basil at home: soil preparation

If you grow basil in universal soil, you do not need to prepare it for planting. The main thing is to ensure good drainage by placing it at the bottom of the container (pot).

If you use garden soil, make it more fertile and loose. To do this, mix humus, soil and peat in equal proportions: such soil will allow air to pass through well and will become an excellent medium for growing basil indoors.

As for drainage, they will use small pebbles or expanded clay. The thickness of the drainage layer should be 4-5 cm.

Basil: planting and care at home

Basil on the windowsill: growing from seeds

Having prepared containers or pots with drainage and soil, we begin planting the seeds.

The seeds of basil, like other herbs, are encased in a thick shell soaked in oils: it prevents them from germinating quickly. Therefore, before planting, you need to keep the achenes warm for one and a half to two weeks so that they warm up and the essential oils evaporate. And the day before planting, pour the seeds warm water to soften the shell.

We plant the prepared seeds into the soil 1 cm deep, throwing several achenes into the hole at once: we will then remove the excess sprouts.

If you sow seeds in long containers, maintain a row spacing of 5 cm.

Basil: home care

Let's find out what conditions are necessary for indoor basil to grow green mass:

Warm. To get friendly shoots, after planting the seeds, cover the containers with film and place them on a warm windowsill without drafts. The temperature under the shelter should be kept between 23-25°C. To prevent the soil from becoming moldy, remove the film for 10 minutes every day.

When the shoots appear (about 2 weeks), gradually remove the film and lower temperature regime up to 21-22°C.

Basil: home care

Lighting. We provide the basil with good lighting: if there is a deficiency of it, the seedlings will become stunted and will not be able to grow good foliage mass. If there is not enough light due to the fact that you have northern windows or it is winter outside, we use phytolamps or other devices.

Important: for normal development We provide the plants with at least 15 hours of continuous lighting.

Care. It consists of regular loosening and watering. We water the young basil with warm water every morning, and if it is too hot and the soil has time to dry out in the evening, water it in the evening. We loosen the soil every 2 weeks. As soon as lateral branches appear on the stems, we feed the plants with a complex of organic fertilizers.

As soon as the seedlings turn into fragrant bushes, you can tear off the top of the young shoots to add to different dishes. After this, the bush will branch even better and will not bloom. Flowering should not be allowed because the leaves will become so bitter that they cannot be eaten.

Now you know how to grow basil at home. Let's find out how it is grown in the garden.

Basil: growing and care in open ground

If you want to grow basil yourself, planting and caring for it in open ground seems difficult only at first glance. It is easy to grow in seedlings or directly from seeds.

How to grow basil seedlings

First, let's decide on the varieties: which ones are better suited for cultivation in the garden or garden. If you need a seasoning with a strong smell and a lot of vitamins, buy purple seeds. If you prefer a subtle aroma and taste, it is better to opt for green basil.

The best varieties for open ground

"Table". Tall variety with large green leaves with a mild taste, pronounced aroma and juiciness.
"Clove". A compact variety with small green foliage, a clove scent and a characteristic taste.
"Cinnamon". A plant with purple leaves with a pleasant cinnamon smell and taste.
"Caramel". Compact bushes with leaves that exude the smell of caramel. An excellent plant for preparing salads and desserts.
"Anisic". A spreading variety with bubbly green leaves with the smell and taste of anise.
"Philosopher". A purple plant that forms a small bush of leaves with a clove-like scent and a pungent taste.
"Citric". A variety that forms a low bush with pale green foliage. The leaves are good not only in cooking, but also in medicine: they cure colds and headaches.

Now we will find out when and how to grow seedlings for subsequent transplantation into beds.

Basil: growing and care in open ground

Basil: growing from seeds in seedlings

When to grow basil seedlings? It is better to sow seeds in boxes 45 days before planting in the garden - around the end of February or beginning of March. Since the daylight hours are longer at this time, the seedlings do not have to be illuminated with phytolamps.

Whether it is green basil or purple basil, growing seedlings is possible in the following ways:

Classic way. We place drainage on the bottom of the box and fill it with universal or prepared soil (a mixture of equal parts of peat, earth and humus). We spill the soil with warm water and make centimeter-long depressions. We sow the seeds, cover with film and place the box on a warm, light windowsill.

When the shoots appear, remove the film, and then regularly water the seedlings and keep the temperature at least 22°C. After the seedlings have a few leaves, we plant them in the garden.

Using hydroponics. In this case, instead of soil, we pour expanded clay, yellow peat, and household mineral wool mixed with a complex of minerals into the boxes.

Hydroponic seedlings need to be watered frequently as they dry out quickly. After 20 days, we plant the seedlings in the garden.

Seedlings in a snail. A method that saves a lot of space and retains moisture for a long time. We make a snail like this: take a foam backing and lay a layer of soil on it, with basil seeds on top with a distance of 5 cm between them. We roll everything up into a roll.

The soil in the snail dries out for a long time, so frequent watering is not necessary. When the seedlings sprout and get stronger, we transplant them into the garden bed.

We plant the seedlings in a sunny place, in loose, mineral-rich soil, but not the same where it grew last year. If these rules are violated, the plants will grow slowly and often get sick. And one more thing: planting is carried out only after the cessation of night frosts.

How to plant seedlings in the garden

We prepare the bed by adding a mixture of peat and humus (compost) at the rate of 2 kg of mixture per square meter of land.
We make rows, maintaining a distance of 30 cm between them.
We plant the seedlings so that the distance between the seedlings is 20 cm.
Water the bed with settled water.

Caring for basil in open ground after planting seedlings

Seedlings need regular loosening, watering and fertilizers. We water the seedlings every day with warm water so that they take root well. Then we water them only as the soil dries, avoiding drying out. Over-watering is also unacceptable - the plants may rot.

Caring for basil in open ground after planting seedlings

Once every two weeks we loosen the soil between the rows and around the basil seedlings. We remove weeds and water the beds after weeding.

We fertilize the plants on the 12th day after planting: dilute 2 tbsp. spoons of nitrophoska in 12 liters of water and apply fertilizer at the rate of 3 liters per square meter.

Growing basil in open ground with seeds

If you don’t want to bother with seedlings, we’ll find out how to grow basil in open ground using seed. Basil, planting and caring for which is very simple, is sown at different times depending on the climate zone.

If you live in the southern part of the country, we sow the seeds in mid-to-late April, if in the middle - in mid-to-late May, when the soil has warmed up sufficiently.

To speed up seed germination, 2 weeks before sowing, heat them in a hot place with a temperature of about 30°C to eliminate essential oils. A day before sowing, soak them in almost hot water.

We sow the seeds in the garden bed in the same way as with the seedling method, deepening them into the ground no more than a centimeter. After the seedlings appear, we regularly water them, loosen the rows, weed them and feed them.

When the plants grow to 20 cm, we cut off the tops so that they grow more green masses.

Caring for basil also includes timely removal of damaged and dried shoots and preventing flowering: if it blooms, it will lose its taste. To prevent this from happening, we break off the tops of the shoots with leaves, leaving 4 leaves on the branch. This will make the bush branch out and become even more green.

Basil: growing and care in a greenhouse

Most often, basil is grown in vegetable gardens, orchards and at home. But much better plant grow basil in a greenhouse, and here's why.

Benefits of growing basil in a greenhouse

It grows faster and gains green mass.
It is not attacked by pests.
It is protected from temperature changes.
If the greenhouse is heated, growing basil in winter becomes a habit: it will supply you with vitamins all year round.
If you plant other greens next to it, eggplants, tomatoes and other crops, basil is a plant that can be grown different ways, will not resist such a neighborhood.

The greenhouse method has another advantage: it grows so many leaves that there is nowhere to put them. So, the surplus can be sold!

Basil: growing and care in a greenhouse

What varieties of basil can be grown in a greenhouse?

Most often, lovers of spicy greens cultivate the following varieties in greenhouse conditions:

Cinnamon Basil (Mexican). A compact variety in the form of cute bushes of light green foliage that has the smell and taste of cinnamon.
Camphor basil. A beautiful bush with bright green leaves with a clove scent and tart taste.
Lemon basil. A well-branched plant with lush greenery of large pale green leaves that exude a pleasant lemon aroma.
Purple basil. Valued in Indian and Caucasian cuisine as a seasoning for sauces and meat dishes. The sweetish taste of the leaves allows them to be added even to desserts.

We decide on the varieties and find out what a greenhouse should be like for growing basil.

Basil: growing conditions in a greenhouse

If you intend to grow basil only in the warm season, a regular greenhouse or greenhouse will do. If you want to receive vitamin greens all year round, you will need a heated greenhouse.

What should a winter greenhouse be like?

Ventilated. From time to time the greenhouse needs to be ventilated, so it should have windows. And to prevent icy air from passing inside, it is necessary to equip the entrance with a small vestibule.
Warm. If possible, you can make a house greenhouse when one of the walls is the wall of the house. Leaving the house, the heat penetrates into the greenhouse, which allows you to save on its heating. Winter greenhouse can be made of polycarbonate or glass. With the onset of cold weather, it is heated using a stove, air heater or electric boiler.

To maintain the required temperature in the greenhouse, we lay roofing material around its perimeter, and on the ridges - biological insulation in the form of a mixture of straw and rotted manure. This mixture should be covered with polyethylene for several days, and then distributed over the beds and a thick layer of soil should be poured on top of it.

How to grow basil in winter

Basil will not grow well in dense, heavy soils with a poor composition - it needs loose, fertile soil. First, we remove the top layer of soil and replace it with a mixture of sand, peat and garden soil.

Before sowing seeds, add rotted manure to the beds in a ratio of 4 kg per square meter.

A couple of weeks after sowing, we fertilize the soil by dissolving urea or chicken droppings in water.

How to grow basil from seeds in a greenhouse

To get the harvest early, it is better to grow basil from seeds using the seedling method:

Fill boxes or containers with light universal soil.
We spill the soil with warm water.
Scatter the basil seeds on the surface without deepening them. You can sprinkle them a little with earth.
Cover the box with film and wait for shoots. As soon as they appear, remove the film.
When the seedlings have 2 leaves, we pick them up.
Leave a distance between seedlings of 5 cm, remove excess shoots.

After 30-45 days, we plant the seedlings in greenhouse beds. It is advisable to do this in early spring, planting the seeds in winter to get an early harvest. We plant the seedlings in shallow rows so that a distance of 15 cm is maintained between the seedlings.

Greenhouse basil: care

To get a rich harvest of basil greens, we provide it with proper care.

Warm environment. The plant develops better at a temperature of 22-28 degrees. If it’s a warm season, we ventilate the greenhouse more often to avoid waterlogging, but don’t forget that basil does not like drafts.
Basil: watering. Every week we water the beds generously with cool water from watering cans with wide spray nozzles.
Cutting. In order for the plants to branch better and grow leaves, we make the first cut as soon as they grow to 20 cm. We cut off the branches so that a stump with a couple of leaves remains.
Basil: feeding. After cutting, we water the ridges generously and apply fertilizer. Feeding basil is possible aqueous solution urea or chicken droppings.

Thanks to this care and method of cultivation, you will be provided with healthy and nutritious greens all year round: in just one season you can get 2-7 kg of product per square meter!

Now you know how easy basil is to care for, and even the most inexperienced gardener can grow it. Start with basil, and gradually you will learn how to grow any greens!

Among the piquant greens, which in Lately our housewives began to use more and more often, Basil especially stands out. Fortunately, there is no need to buy it in the store, since basil grass can grow well in our gardens, and we will now share the secrets of its cultivation with you.

Introduction to basil: description of the plant

Few people know where exactly basil grows, so it is often attributed to the hot Italian coasts. But this plant feels great in our latitudes. Basil is a small annual plant that can grow 20-60 cm in height. One stem often produces a large number of leaves, which are valuable to culinary experts.

Basil or regan (also known as "rayon plant") has quite a lot of varieties that differ from each other in leaf color. They can be light green, dark green or purple.

This plant is very useful for the human body because it contains carotene.(high sulfur protein) essential oils and the most important thing - large amount of vitamin C. All these substances contribute to the formation of the very spicy aroma of the leaves, which made basil popular among chefs.

Basil seed sowing

To the question, “How to plant basil in the garden?”, there are two answers at once: the seeds can be sown in pots for seedlings, or directly in open ground. The first method allows you not only to get fragrant greens, but also to have time to collect seeds from the bushes by autumn, which can be sown again next year. If you sow seeds directly in a garden bed or flower bed, then although such a plant will bring you a lot of greenery, you are unlikely to have time to collect its seeds before the onset of cold weather. For this reason It is more rational to consider seed sowing for seedlings.

When to sow basil: the process of planting the plant

Regan grass is sown approximately two months before planting seedlings in open ground, that is, at the end of March - beginning of April. This time will be enough for plants to fully develop. For sowing seeds, boxes are prepared in which equal parts fall asleep:

humus;
peat soil;
garden soil.

In addition, it is important to fertilize the soil mixture for sowing basil, Why is fertilizing prepared from potassium sulfate, urea, potassium chloride and superphosphate, of which half a teaspoon is needed per 5 liters of pre-settled water. The soil only needs to be sprinkled with this solution. After this, wait until the soil warms up to room temperature and sow the seeds, sprinkling them with another layer of soil on top. The germination box is covered with film or glass and placed in a warm and well-lit place.

Important! Excessive moisture of the soil with basil seedlings can lead to the development of blackleg disease. To get rid of it, the plant should be treated with a solution made from half a teaspoon of copper sulfate and 1 liter of settled water.

How to care for seedlings?

Rayhon plant loves moisture and sunlight, therefore, as soon as the first shoots begin to appear from the ground, the container with them should be placed on a well-lit windowsill. Descents usually appear within a week. In this case, the box with them should always be in a room with the same temperature, and as the soil dries out, it will also need watering. Make sure that the plants are not over-watered. In addition, the box will need to be constantly rotated to prevent the plants from growing lopsided.

Planting seedlings in the ground

Many housewives grow basil in pots, so when the seedlings grow, they simply plant them in separate pots and put them on the windowsill. However, if the street becomes warmer every day and summer is approaching, it is more rational to plant it in the garden, thanks to which the plant will grow more lush and fragrant. We will look at how to properly plant basil in open ground below.

Did you know? Basil is an excellent medicine that not only promotes good immune development, but also strengthens the heart, lungs and kidneys. For medicinal purposesenoughadd dailybasil for your favorite dishes.

What should the soil be like to plant basil?

Basil is a lover of nutritious soil. If you plant it on sand, the stems of the plant will be thin and it will not be able to grow upward normally. Therefore, before planting basil seedlings, the bed is generously fertilized with compost and peat (compost can be replaced with humus). Please note: basil loves warm soil, so you should not delay transplanting it to the garden bed.

How to plant seedlings correctly?

First of all, it is worth addressing the question, “When to plant basil?” The time for planting seedlings may vary depending on your region of residence, but in general this should be done from the beginning of June until the end of the month. You shouldn’t wait any longer, as the plant may not tolerate the July heat and early pre-autumn cold snaps well.

Plants are planted in shallow holes, into which there is no longer any need to apply additional fertilizers. It is important to place them at a distance of 17-20 cm from each other in one row. But between the rows you should leave about 30 cm. Thanks to this scheme, all plants will have enough space to grow, they will be well ventilated, and will not experience a lack of sunlight.

After planting and compaction, the soil should also be watered a little. During the first two weeks of growth, it is important to cover the seedlings with film at night so that the basil can take root well and not be damaged by changes in average daily temperatures.

Important! When sowing basil seeds directly into open ground, this procedure should be done only at the beginning of summer, having first removed all weeds from the garden bed. Until the plants break through the soil, it should be watered well, and if the basil is too thick, it should be weeded.

Caring for basil: features of growing an aromatic plant

This spicy plant loves attention to itself, but is ready to thank for it with good growth and generous leaf development. In addition to periodically removing weeds and loosening the soil, Basil also needs regular watering and several feedings.

Watering and soil care

The frequency of watering beds with basil depends on weather conditions, Therefore, if you come to the garden and notice that the soil is dry, it is better to water the plants. However, you should not do this so often that the soil does not have time to dry out. This can lead to rotting of the roots.

Before each watering, it is recommended to loosen the soil a little, so that more air flows to the roots and moisture leaks out faster. Be sure to remove weeds, since they will not only steal nutrients from the soil, but also have a larger root system, can greatly interfere with the growth of basil bushes.

Important! Since basil loves heat very much, it should be watered with warm, pre-settled water. The same water must be used for diluting fertilizers.

When does a plant need to be fertilized and how to do it?

You can only find out what real aromatic regan is from your own garden if you provide the plant with the necessary care. In particular, It is worth feeding monthly: if you planted seedlings in early June, then two feedings will be required - one at the beginning of July, and the second at the beginning of August.

For a good increase in green mass on the plant, it is important to feed it with nitrogen fertilizers. For this purpose, use ordinary nitrophoska, from which a solution is prepared in the following proportions - 2 tablespoons of the substance are given for 12 liters of water. It is necessary to add this fertilizer to all basil bushes, spending approximately 3-4 liters of liquid per 1 m² of bed.

Harvesting: how to collect greens?

It is important to stock up on basil for the whole year, as this spice goes well with both vegetable and meat dishes. It is ideal to store it only in a dried state, since after freezing, basil loses some of its beneficial properties.

The herb gets its name from the Greek word meaning “king”. It has a bitter taste and a minty-pepper aroma. It is a popular seasoning in Mediterranean cuisine. The famous Italian pesto sauce is prepared using basil. In France, its combination with tomatoes is a culinary canon. Later in this article we will talk about the proper cultivation of this wonderful herb in the country house or garden. Let's find out how and when to plant seeds in open ground. How to pick, transplant or plant the first shoots.

The homeland of the grass is Africa. It appeared in Russia in the 18th century. Back then, popular tonics and cosmetic masks were made on its basis, which are still popular today.

Basil in a pot closeup

Description of the bush

How many varieties can you plant in your dacha?

Preparing seedlings at home in spring

Seeds are planted into seedlings at the end of March. They are soaked briefly before planting. Two hours in warm water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate is enough. For seedlings, containers with a depth of 10 cm or more, pots or flower boxes are suitable. Drainage is laid at the bottom, sprinkle it on top with a soil mixture (proportions 4:2:1) from:

peat
humus
sand

Furrows 1 cm deep are made in the ground, into which the seeds are placed.. Sprinkle with earth and irrigate with a sprayer, and then cover with film or glass.

Containers with seeds are placed in a warm place. At this stage, it is important to properly care for the seedlings:

Once a day, remove the film or glass and ventilate it briefly (15 minutes is enough)
remove condensation from the inside
easily moisten the soil

At the end of May, sprouts sprouted at home are planted in open ground. It is important that the plants have 5 formed leaves. Until they appear, you can wait to plant.

Before planting, the seedlings are taken out of the room and left in the open air so that they harden. Start with 15 minutes and gradually increase the time spent outside to several hours. Hardening begins a week before transplantation.

How to plant seeds or seedlings in open ground

Basil dies from low temperatures. Therefore, seedlings are planted in a permanent place when there are no morning frosts. The best time to plant vegetable seeds in the spring is mid-May. You can choose any scheme for sowing.

The soil for grass needs to be fertile, air- and moisture-permeable. The soil is fertilized before planting. 2 kg of humus, peat and compost are added per 1 m2.

The sprouts are planted at a distance of 40 cm from each other, in holes 10 cm deep. Before planting, the holes are watered abundantly.

Growing and caring for green basil shoots in the garden

Basil grown in a barrel

Basil needs to be watered with warm, settled water. Experienced gardeners start a large plastic barrel for this. During the day, the water in the barrel will heat up and settle. By evening it is suitable for watering.

It is important not to overwater the sprouts. The soil should be slightly moist. If there is excess moisture, the plant will be affected by blackleg.

Grass grows well when fed with nitrogen fertilizers. The first feeding occurs two weeks after planting.

To increase the green mass of sprouts, in addition to pinching the tops, flowers are cut off from them.

The soil around the plants is loosened and weeded to remove weeds. During the summer season, 6-7 times are enough. After weeding and loosening, the sprouts are watered abundantly.

Harvesting crops in the garden

Basil leaves are collected before flowering. Then the concentration of essential oils and vitamins in them is peak. An unripe bud is a sign for collecting leaves.

The grass blooms until the first autumn days. Do not forget that this is a heat-loving plant. Before the first frost occurs, it is transplanted into a greenhouse or into a house. Grass grows without problems in a pot for indoor flowers. It decorates the house and fills the premises with a spicy aroma.

Proper drying

After harvesting, the crop is dried:

On open air. The leaves are washed, debris removed and laid out on a towel. When the water has drained, place them on a baking sheet. It is better to tie a large harvest in bunches and hang it on a rope in a warm room without direct sunlight.
In the oven. Place the washed and dried leaves on a baking sheet in an oven preheated to 400˚C. Drying will take 2 hours.
In the microwave. At full power, drying will take 3 minutes.

Readiness is determined manually. Dried herbs crumble easily in your hands. It is stored in dry glass jars or paper bags.

Basil plant care

Freezing whole leaves

They are washed and dipped in boiling water for 3 seconds. Then cool in cold water. Dry a little on a towel and put into bags in small portions. Then put it in the freezer.

Quick freezing of chopped leaves

Basil has long been known to man. It takes pride of place in the cuisine of many countries: Greece, France, Italy and Thailand. In Transcaucasia, it even received its own name - regan.

It contains vitamins:

C (reduces blood cholesterol levels)
B (riboflavin, good for eyes)
PP (nicotinic acid for healthy skin and gastric mucosa)