Garden calendar for the kitchen garden - vegetables and herbs. See what to plant right now and for next month.

Growing Basil

(Ocimum basilicum)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
								S	T	T	T

(Best months for planting Basil in Australia - temperate regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings.

Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 18°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
Space plants: 20 - 25 cm apart
Harvest in 10-12 weeks. Pick before flowering.
Compatible with: Tomato

A Basil plant
Basil flower

A frost tender low-growing herb. Basil is a culinary herb prominently featured in Italian cuisine, and also plays a major role in the Southeast Asian cuisines of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The plant tastes somewhat like anise, with a strong, pungent sweet smell. There are many varieties including, thai, purple ruffles and lemon.

Can be grown inside in pots in winter. As the plant develops, pinch out the top to encourage bushy growth. Pick off flowers to encourage more growth.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Basil

Basil is commonly used fresh in cooked recipes. It is generally added at the last moment, as cooking quickly destroys the flavour. Tear rather than chop.
The fresh herb can be kept for a short time in plastic bags in the refrigerator, or for a longer period in the freezer, after being blanched quickly in boiling water.

Your comments and tips

29 Jan 12, Kate (Australia - cool/mountain climate): My Basil isnt growing at all this year
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Nov 11, Amy Mitchell (Australia - temperate climate): My basil has started getting brown dots. I don't think this is good. What can I do?
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Jan 11, Trish (Australia - tropical climate): We have a few basil plants around a foot high right now and are picking and eating happily. They haven't flowered, and I'm told I should pinch off the flowers to prevent it. my question - I'm such a beginner - do they die off and require replacing, or do the carry on forever if I keep pinching off the flowering heads? If they die, I should be planting again now!
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Oct 11, Julie (Australia - temperate climate): I have been experimenting growing herbs for the last year. Let some of the basil flower and go to seed, when dried out save the seeds and plant again in September for regrowth. Perfect for making pesto, keeps well when made and sealed. Basil does need to be sown each year,
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Jan 11, craig (Australia - sub-tropical climate): You can actually just cut them right back and dry an excess in the oven (very low temp for 45 min or so). the plant will look like death, but tends to start growing again. If it dosent it's an easy herb to keep seeding. I still have the same "bush" that Ive had in a pot for 3 years. Pick, dry regrow start again!
Reply or Post a new comment
28 May 10, Steve (Australia - cool/mountain climate): How can I grow Thai Basil in Adelaide Winter,I have small glasshose will this work or do I need lighting too Ta
Reply or Post a new comment
12 May 10, Rachel (Australia - temperate climate): How do I make my basil grow fuller? does anyone know how my plant needs to be groomed to grow thick and lustrous? thanks
Reply or Post a new comment
12 May 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate): Your basil will grow more 'bushy' if you nip off the growing tips once the plants are well-established. They will send out lots of side-shoots and bush out. Also, I found watering with a seaweed-based liquid fertiliser helps.
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Apr 10, tony (Australia - temperate climate): bridget, sounds like the basil is just going to the flowering stage?? maybe you planted it / bought it a bit late in the season. you can extend the growing phase by cutting / breaking off the stems just below the transistion / flowering growth . . . but you have probably discovered this already ... its not rocket science :). Once the basil plants die, you can take them out, hang them up, and in early spring just shake the plant and rake seeds into damp soil. Hey presto...nature provides us with pesto.
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Nov 09, Bridget (Australia - temperate climate): To be honest Damooo, i have no idea. I'm a novice herb gardener and just purchased a punnet from a local outlet...
Reply or Post a new comment

Post a question, comment or tip about Basil

Your name:

Where are you?

Email address (if you would like us to email you when your comment is listed):

Your question, comment or tip:

All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting may not appear immediately

See planting calendar for these countries and climate zones

Australia - arid, Australia - cool/mountain, Australia - sub-tropical, Australia - temperate, Australia - tropical, New Zealand - cool/mountain, New Zealand - sub-tropical, New Zealand - temperate, South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical, South Africa - Humid sub-tropical, South Africa - Semi-arid, South Africa - Summer rainfall, United Kingdom - cool/temperate, United Kingdom - warm/temperate, USA - Central West Coast, USA - Maritime Northwest, USA - Mid-Atlantic, USA - North East, USA - South East and Gulf States, USA - South West, USA - Upper Midwest

Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

Site design and development by Hutchinson Software