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

28 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go to Seed Collection or Boondie on the internet and look at the photos. Or you could even email them and ask.
23 Aug 17, M K Sharma (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
hi, i want to buy Basil plant.Its available in cape town, South Africa.
09 Jul 17, Jayne (USA - Zone 11a climate)
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)
03 Jan 18, Wendy (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Hi Liz; I used to live in Miami, Your best bet is to buy a plant and just use the shoots of the plant. Place in a small container with water until you see roots and then transplant to soil. Basil is a very strong plant making it easy to grow. The more sun it gets the strongest the flavor and aroma. Good luck
11 Aug 23, Janine (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I wouldn't recommend having basil in a spot that gets full sun at midday in the Miami summer. That's too much sun and will damage/kill it. I lost several basils that way. When gardening tips say
27 Sep 23, Janine (USA - Zone 10b climate)
(cont'd) "full sun", they usually don't mean full tropical summer sun.
17 Jun 17, irshad (Canada - Zone 7a Mild Temperate climate)
Hello How can growing basil plants in cold temperature
27 Apr 17, Monique (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Ok,, I live in zone 9A and I'm trying to grown basil. No matter where or how I try to grow it it dies. Looks like it's getting burnt when I plant it outside. How much should I water it or how often ???? HELP !
30 Jul 17, Paul (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Sounds like Downey Mildew. Undersides have grey black fuzz spores, the plant looks like has a nutritional problem. Suggest sanitation, regular application of organic teas and bio fungicides to populate the leaves with bacteria and fungi so the mildew can't get a start.... Varieties with flatter leaves vs. cupped tend to have an easier time.
28 Apr 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Basil is normally easy to grow. Normally you would plant it in your area from April to July.It doesn't like frost but, as it is a soft herb it doesn't like extreme heat and drying winds either. Try planting it where it gets morning sun and is protected from harsh conditions. A spot that gets light shade would also be good. Basil likes fertile, well drained soil and will reward you if the water supply is evenly damp but not wet. Sowing seed directly where it is going to grow is the best as direct-seeded plants will always do better than transplants. Trust this helps.
Showing 41 - 50 of 123 comments

This plant is now a 1.2m ball of leaves and flower/seeds.

- Mike

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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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