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 18°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 25 cm apart
  • Harvest in 10-12 weeks. Pick before flowering.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Tomato

Your comments and tips

25 Aug 18, Peta (Australia - temperate climate)
Just remember that "Perth sun" is stronger than normal sun. so most plants that are "full sun" need partial shade in our summers. Now is definitely tomato and basil season. I would figure out what you like to eat first and put those in as a priority and work around them. Ask your local garden centre including your local hardware garden centre :)
27 Aug 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
I would dispute that the Perth sun is stronger than normal sun. 35 or 40 degrees is the same everywhere. It is the humidity or dryness that is the difference. A humid 35 degrees in SE Qld is just as prickly as a 40+ dry Easterly in Perth. I have lived in both and I know which I would prefer - WA.
20 Aug 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look up the internet for how much sunlight vegies need. You can find a table that shows this. Some need 4 some 6 some 8 hours. Most plants need quite a lot of sunlight - otherwise you end up with small weak plants.
07 Jul 18, LD (Australia - arid climate)
My Basil is being invaded by caterpillars. How can I get rid of them?
23 Sep 18, Louise G (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Small green caterpillars. Either pick them off by hand or sprinkle with ground pepper for an organic fix. You may need to squirt leaves with water first. This works with spinach and mint too.
24 May 18, Margaret (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you get a basil that grows in winter I get morning and northern sun my other herbs are growing great
25 May 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I was given a basil plant yesterday - from up north Queensland. He said it flowered in the late winter - spring. Growing it for bee attraction. Will ask what it is called tomorrow.
14 Nov 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
This plant is now a 1.2m ball of leaves and flower/seeds.
24 May 18, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Basil is frost-tender and needs lots of sunlight
20 Nov 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I garden at a men's shed and the boss bought some perennial basil back from Townsville to Bundy in June. I planted it in a light truck tyre with some good soil, put a supporting wire mess cone around it and boy has it grown. It is now a 1.2m ball and has heaps of flowers and bees.
Showing 21 - 30 of 123 comments

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.

- 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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