Basil
Can you imagine a garden without basil? Impossible!
Its familiar fragrance, easy care, and many uses make it an indispensable in herb. It's perfect for ornamental, container & kitchen gardens. As a member of the mint family (Labiatae), basils have four-sided stems and whorled flowers of that family. Thankfully, it's not as invasive as mints can be.
The genus name of sweet basil, Ocimum, is from a Greek verb that means “to be fragrant.” The species name, basilicum, comes from the Greek basileus, which means “king or prince.”
Basil is often referred to as the “king of herbs,” and no wonder—it is one of the most useful, and most used herbs.
In warm climates, sweet basil acts as a perennial. In most areas of the country, it is an annual, dying at the first touch of frost. There are more than 30 different species of basil, but the most common are O. basilicum and its subspecies.
Basil Growing Tips
Select a location that receives full sun—at least six hours (or more) of direct sun daily. With less sun, the plants have a tendency to get “leggy.” Plants in containers require the same exposure.
Although herbs are not fussy, they need a light, fertile soil with good drainage. Amend what you have by digging in about a 2-inch layer of soil builder before planting. We prefer Coast of Maine Organic Bumper Crop Soil Builder. This is particularly important if your soil is mostly clay.
Choose a cloudy, calm day to transplant your basil. This gives it a chance to settle in before it has to contend with the drying effects of sun and wind. It's very important to plant at the right time, as the slightest bit of cold weather will set basil back.
Set the plants in the ground at the same depth they were growing in the pots. If you bought six-packs or flats of basil plants, water first. Then, carefully lift each plant out of its cell or separate them from each other in the flat. Keep as much soil around the roots as possible to avoid moisture loss. If you started plants in peat pots, set the pots below the soil line since they have a tendency to dry quickly when exposed to the air.
Space plants 10-12 inches apart. Place dwarf basils, 8-10 inches apart and larger basils, such as ‘Sweet Dani,’ up to 20 inches apart.
Water the plants immediately after setting them in the ground.
Garden Uses
Basil is as ornamental as it is edible. Put it in a traditional herb garden, in the vegetable plot in the center of a bed of red and green-leaf lettuces or edging a bed of tomatoes.
Use both green and purple-leaved Basil varieties in borders. It's especially beautiful with perennials like Heuchera, Sedum, fountain grass, dusty miller and blue Salvia farinacea. It also looks great with annuals like snapdragons, nicotiana, French marigolds and petunias.
Try the technique of keeping flies away by planting basils around a patio or in containers on a deck.
Taking Care of Basil
Like most herbs, basils do not need much maintenance. In sandy or infertile soil, fertilize basil plants for continuous growth. If you amended the soil with organic matter, you may not need to fertilize basil.
Basil plants require about an inch of water a week, so water them thoroughly if it doesn't rain enough.
Although the flower spikes are attractive, it is best to cut them off. The flowers deplete the plants’ energy resulting in fewer leaves.
The leaves have the best flavor when they are harvested before the plants flower. Cut whole stems rather than individual leaves. Cutting whole stems is a tasty way of creating a bushy, compact plant. Cut above a pair of lower leaves; the plant will produce new shoots at that point.
Growing Basil In Containers
Basils is an excellent herb to grow in containers because it adds attractive color & texture to planters. Plus, a planter of basil by the back door or on a deck provides easy access for harvesting!
The container should have drainage holes in the bottom or sides. Fill it with a soilless mix, which is more lightweight than garden soil and is also free of diseases and weed seeds. It's easy to provide nutrients all season by incorporating a controlled-release fertilizer in the mix before planting.
With mixed plantings, place most basils near the center of containers or at the ends of window boxes. Use dwarf basils to edge a container or on their own in smaller, 8-inch pots. Place those pots around a larger planter, marching up steps or along a walk.
Plant basils at the same level as they were growing in their original pots and water the container well after planting.
Keep the plants evenly moist through the growing season. Smaller containers will need more frequent watering than large ones. If you plant in a window box, remember that overhanging eaves may prevent rain from reaching the plants.
Whether you grow it in the ground or a container, basil rewards you with beauty and flavor all season long!