Basic Tips On How To Grow Basil | Gardening

By LeeDobbins.
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Basil is a useful ingredient in many Italian recipes as well as in salads, on sandwiches and in casseroles. So, it stands to reason that learning how to grow basil is a surefire way to ensure you always have a fresh supply to use in your cooking.

As long as you have good light and the right temperature, growing basil is very easy to do. You can grow basil easily from seeds, or purchase an "herb kit" with everything you need. However, a packaged kit isn't necessary; all you needs are basil seeds and some fertile soil.

Basil requires excellent drainage so choose a flower pot that has holes drilled in it. You can also use rocks, clay or charcoal in the pot before adding the soil so the water has a place to pool up.

The best time to sow the seeds directly to the ground is when there are no more threats of frost. If you want, you can sow the seeds thinly to avoid overcrowding later on. If you choose to sow in pots, put enough seeds in each pot and then you can thin out the weaklings later on. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and water regularly.

One of the important things to know when learning how to grow Basil is that it requires 6 to 8 hours of sun each day. So if you are growing Basil on pots, place them in areas where they can still be reached by sunlight, like the patio or by the window. If you are growing them outdoors, choose the area that gets sun for most of the day but are protected from harsh wind.

Ideally basil plants should be watered a couple of times a week and apply fertilizer once in a month. Water directly to the soil so as to avoid splashing water on the leaves as this can encourage fungal growth and disease.

Pinch off any flowers growing on the plant to get the best possible flavor from the leaves. This allows the plant to use all its energy and resources to produce beautiful, more flavorful leaves.

The advantage of learning to grow basil is that you will be able to constantly have the fresh herb for use at any time you wish. You can grow it all year round by planting it in containers inside your house. It's a good idea to have several plants on hand at one time, perhaps even growing several varieties of basil. Harvest the leaves at the top of the plant whenever you wish to use them and your plants should be productive for many years.

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You can get more great gardening tips including more on how to grow basil at http://www.gardening-ez.com

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