Growing Basil

Ocimum basilicum : Lamiaceae / the mint family

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

(Best months for growing Basil in Australia - tropical 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 (can grow beside): Tomato

Your comments and tips

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30 Mar 14, Steve Lohn (USA - Zone 9b climate)
The only reason you should pinch basil is if it starts to get leggy. Let it grow and take the top leaves for your recipes. I plant lots of it and let it go to seed. The seeds restart themselves in the same pot.
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12 Aug 13, Johan Moll (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Good day I am a small scale bee hobbyist, I have 40 full bee brood boxes and am looking for a plant to plant that have a lot of pollen and nectar. A fiend told me that wild basil is the best plant to plant to help the bees produce the best honey during nectar flow. Maybe you can assist me with info to help my hobby grow. Johan
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25 Sep 19, Niko (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Good day Johan A great and easy to maintain alternative is lavender. It is easy to grow require very little water and the bees just love it
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05 Sep 22, Vin (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Try get hold of Asian basil. It's easy to grow from seed and the bees love it!
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30 Sep 13, Barbara (Australia - temperate climate)
My basil gets tiny black bugs on it. Is there a way to get rid of the little bugs without chemical spray?
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02 Oct 13, Willie (Australia - temperate climate)
I have Basil in the Raised Gardenbed, I have brown spots what is the best way to get rid of them
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15 Oct 13, Emma (Australia - temperate climate)
Sounds like aphids. Use a garlic oil, squash them with your thumb and encourage ladybirds as they eat aphids.
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16 Oct 13, Dylan (Australia - temperate climate)
I find that growing Alyssum and flowering Coriander does a great job. The Alyssum attracts hoverflys and the Coriander ladybirds and hoverflys.
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25 Feb 14, Caryll (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I always struggled to grow basil! I plant the in pots and keep them I the sun outside but they never last and they look unhappy. Please help! Thank you, Caryll
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28 Feb 14, Giten Shah (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hi, We want to buy Basil Seeds .Its available in South africa
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Showing 31 - 40 of 123 comments
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Hi, I'm in Zone 11a and need some clarification. For example regarding Basil, when you state 'P - Plant In The Garden' are you meaning plant seeds in seed trays in these months or to plant out young plants (that were seed sown in trays 4-6 wks earlier) in these months? Hope that question makes sense! Thanks. (P-Plant in garden means plant into the ground unless your local weather is not suitable - in which case, start basil in a seed tray and transfer later. - Liz)

- Jayne

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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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