Growing Basil

Ocimum basilicum : Lamiaceae / the mint family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
      T                
      P P              

(Best months for growing Basil in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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 64°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 10 inches apart
  • Harvest in 10-12 weeks. Pick before flowering.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Tomato

Your comments and tips

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?
25 Jan 12, Kam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try planting them I a pot with some tomatoes. Also I have been watering mine with worm tea and it has gone nuts you should look into a small worm farm. They are awesome for everything :) hope this helped
29 Jan 12, Kate (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
My Basil isnt growing at all this year
13 Feb 12, Rose (Australia - temperate climate)
Try a different position to grow and add a lot of nitrogenous fertilizer and manure,... Or better still try a different variety
13 Apr 14, JD Ferry (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Morning sun, good drainage, warm soil temps.
26 Jan 15, Anthony (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Mine neither, although the basil I have transplanted has done well, but from seeds .. it has done no good.
17 Feb 12, Dion (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When Basil is producing leaves on mass, I make up a big batch of simple pesto - normally using just basil, roasted almonds, lemon juice, and olive oil (plus maybe garlic, chilli, or cheese). It keeps very well in the freezer in take away containers, and it means I can bust out a Spaghetti Pesto in about 10 minutes. I would advise strongly against drying basil as it really tastes terrible - as does dried parsley and coriander. These herbs are really meant to be eaten fresh.
15 Mar 12, Anonymus (USA - Zone 10a climate)
I have had no problem seeding basil indoors. They come up easily. My plants grow fine. But after I pinch of all the god leaves, it produces a little more then stoppes producing altgether. What did I do wrong? Everone says to just keep pinching to help encourage new growth. That doesn't work for me. The plant just dies before producing god regrwth.
20 Aug 12, (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I had the same problem at first. Most instructions aren't very clear on the details. The trick is to wait until there are 3-5 sets of true leaves on the seedling. Then, only cut off the top pair of leaves. Also don't pinch or trim until it is transplanted or in its final pot for growing. For the second "pinch," wait until the suckers (like on tomatoes) have 2-3 new sets of leaves, at least. Always use scissors or shears, btw. A good rule of thumb is to never remove more than 1/3 of a plant's leaves at a time, if you want it to keep growing. Once I figured out how to trim my basil plants, they went nuts within a couple of months. Now I have more basil than I can handle!
20 Aug 12, (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Don't pinch or cut the leaves off. Instead use scissors to cut the *stem* just below the pair of leaves you intend to harvest. Then, in the kitchen, pick the leaves off the stem while washing them.
Showing 21 - 30 of 120 comments

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.

- Anonymous

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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.
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