Vegetable garden all year round: is it possible to plant basil before winter and how to do it correctly


Is it possible to plant before winter?

There are several conditions that must be met in order to get a good harvest and ensure normal growth and development of plants. Work can be carried out during the period under review only if several conditions are met; any violations have a bad effect on the basil. Remember the following:

  1. Sowing seeds in open ground is allowed only in mild climate zones, where in winter the thermometer does not drop below zero. At the same time, the plantings must be covered so that they do not become overcooled. Sub-zero temperatures destroy seeds.
  2. If in winter the negative temperatures are small, then the work can also be carried out subject to a number of conditions. Firstly, plant seeds only in dry soil, do not water when sowing. Secondly, the surface must be mulched with peat, making a layer of at least 10 cm for good protection. Thirdly, place a frame on top and cover the bed with agro-canvas or roofing felt, thereby creating an air gap that prevents the soil from freezing.
  3. In cold regions, basil should be grown at home during the winter. Plants are demanding of heat and light; if you don’t have time to care for them, it’s better not to even start working.
  4. Another option is to plant seedlings in winter for planting in open ground or a greenhouse. This option will speed up growth and allow you to harvest much earlier.

For the middle zone and other regions with cold winters, sowing in the garden in the fall is not suitable. Therefore, it is worth growing only with seedlings or indoors. But, even if the climate allows sowing during this period, work should be carried out according to certain recommendations; any violations will lead to a deterioration in germination or even death of the seeds.

Rules for winter planting

Before sowing the seeds, they are soaked in water for several hours, after which they are planted in containers with moistened soil. The distance between the seeds should be at least 7 cm, the planting depth should be 1 cm. After planting, the containers are covered with cling film and placed in a place where there is no direct sunlight. The air temperature should not be below 23 degrees. When the sprouts sprout, they are replanted.

Advantages and disadvantages

There are several advantages that are why basil is planted before winter, but there are also certain disadvantages that must also be taken into account. The process is very different from traditional spring planting; it is better to understand it in advance to avoid mistakes. The main advantages are:

  1. Shoots appear on average 3 weeks earlier. Due to the fact that the seeds lie in the ground, they begin to germinate immediately after the onset of favorable conditions. But if there are recurrent frosts in the spring, the seedlings will simply die; they cannot withstand even a short-term drop in temperature.
  2. Plants are much stronger and less sick. Due to the fact that planting material lies in the ground for almost six months, it hardens and is less susceptible to adverse conditions.
  3. You can collect the first shoots at the beginning of the season. It all depends on the weather, but if conditions are favorable, basil grows very quickly.
  4. When planted in containers, there will be fresh greens on the table all winter.

Advice!

If early shoots are covered with film, placing small arcs, the growth rate at first will greatly increase.

In addition to the advantages, there are certain disadvantages that need to be taken into account:

  1. When the soil freezes, the seeds will die completely. In the spring you’ll just have to re-seed the bed; there’s no point in waiting for seedlings.
  2. Germination rate is lower than usual. On average, from 20 to 40% of seeds do not germinate, so they must be placed in holes or furrows with a reserve.
  3. If conditions in spring are unfavorable (cool and few sunny days), then the plants become stretched and weakened.

It is also worth choosing planting material especially carefully; if it is of poor quality, then even perfect adherence to the technology will not provide a good result. Treated varieties are best suited; they are much more resistant to disease; pelleted varieties are especially good; they are covered with a nutrient mixture, so they sprout quickly and smoothly.

Preparing the container and soil for planting

Light and fertile soil is suitable for growing. It is better to purchase a specially prepared substrate at a gardening store. Suitable soil from the garden will also work, to which you add mineral fertilizers before planting.

The soil must be heated in a stove or oven for an hour. The substrate can be prepared by mixing humus with peat yourself.

Considering that the crop is southern, the planting soil should be at room temperature.

To plant basil, you can use oblong containers for seedlings or a flower pot no more than 30 centimeters deep.

Sowing rules

This applies to planting seeds in the ground; for seedlings and indoor growing there are other requirements, they are described below. When carrying out work in the autumn, a number of conditions must be observed so that the seedlings appear on time and the minimum number of seeds is lost. Remember the following:

  1. Do not soak or disinfect planting material. It must be dry, otherwise germination will begin in warm weather, and after cold weather the seedlings will die.
  2. Do not water the soil. The less moisture it contains, the better. Plant in dry soil, this will create the best conditions for preserving the seeds.
  3. Deepen it no less than 3 cm. Cover with an even layer of soil, do not compact or moisten the surface.
  4. Mulch the bed with dry peat or other material. Avoid using straw, as it often harbors rodents. Make a layer of about 10 cm.
  5. If frosts are possible in winter, lay agro-fabric or roofing material on top for additional protection.

Preparing the container and soil for planting

It is necessary to make holes in the bottom of the containers and also lay out a drainage layer. This can be done using pebbles, broken bricks or expanded clay. Such a stone pillow will help remove excess moisture from the box. The most suitable soil is ready-made mixtures that are sold in stores. If vegetable or garden soil is used to grow basil, it is recommended to enrich it with mineral fertilizers before planting the seeds. For winter planting, another measure of soil preparation will not be superfluous - it can be calcined in the oven.

Suitable varieties

Most of the options are heat-loving, so they are not suitable for winter planting. To get a good harvest of greens, select unpretentious varieties that tolerate temperature changes better than others and do not require special care. The most popular types:

  1. Clove. It is classified as an early ripening plant; from the moment of germination to the cutting of the first greenery, it takes from 35 to 40 days. The bushes are low - up to 35 cm, with compactly located shoots and a large number of leaves. The flowers are white, small in size, collected in clusters. Fresh herbs have a distinct clove aroma with hints of anise. You can also plant seedlings; when grown at home, the plants bloom almost all year round.
  2. Marquis. One of the most unpretentious and cold-resistant varieties of basil, which is better adapted to unfavorable conditions than others. The first harvest is harvested approximately 50 days after the sprouts appear. The bushes are low - about 25 cm, while spreading, with oval leaves. Up to one and a half kilograms of greenery are harvested per square meter. The aroma is peppery and clove, strong.
  3. Yerevan. The second name is Mexican, characterized by a strong tea aroma with peppery notes. The growing season lasts up to 150 days, so the greens can be harvested several times a season; with proper care, the yield will be up to 3 kg per square. The color of the leaves is purple; the peculiarity of this variety is that it repels midges and mosquitoes.
  4. Vanilla aroma. Another variant of purple color, from the name it is clear that the smell has notes of vanilla. The bushes are low, compact, greenery grows in about 40-50 days. It tolerates lack of sunlight better than others.
  5. Caramel. Plants of medium height, spreading. Sturdy stem with medium sized dark green leaves. It has a yield of up to 3.3 kg per square meter and a strong fruity-caramel aroma.

Advice!

If possible, consult an experienced vegetable grower in your region. He will tell you which options perform best when grown.

It is better not to buy heat-loving varieties and varieties with a long ripening period. Suitable early ones, undemanding to heat and growing conditions. If some species are zoned in the region, it is advisable to use them, since they are precisely adapted to the weather.

What is basil

In its natural habitat, basil is a perennial plant. In Russia, due to the harsh climate, it is grown as an annual crop.

Appearance of basil:

  1. Roots. One root is central, the rest are lateral, highly branched. The depth of root penetration is up to 10 cm.
  2. Stem. Strongly branched, often pubescent. Height – up to 60 cm. Color – green or anthocyanin. Over time it becomes woody.
  3. Leaves. The shape is ovoid, up to 8 cm in length. They sit on petioles and are located opposite. The edges are solid or finely crenate. Usually hairless, rich green or anthocyanin.
  4. Flowers. Light purple, collected in racemose inflorescences.
  5. Fruit. After flowering, 4 shiny, dark brown seeds ripen from each flower. Basil seeds remain viable for seven years.

How to choose the optimal sowing time

In order not to make a mistake, it is worth considering several nuances. There are no exact dates for individual regions, as weather and precipitation differ in each season. But, knowing a few recommendations, planting basil correctly is not difficult for a novice gardener:

  1. In most regions, target late October or November. In the south, it is possible to shift the dates to December. Do not rush to sow, as the seeds may germinate, but then they will definitely die.
  2. The soil temperature should be no more than 6 degrees at a depth of 5 cm. You can check this with a regular thermometer.
  3. When growing at home, you can carry out work at any time. The main thing is to create favorable conditions for the growth and development of plants.
  4. Sow seedlings 2.5-3 months before transplanting into open ground or a greenhouse. Select the time depending on the region and type of structure; if it is heated, the work is carried out earlier. The condition for normal adaptation of plants in a new place is a soil temperature of at least 15 degrees.

When sowing in open ground, wait for stable cold weather without sudden temperature changes day and night. Mulch will protect the seeds from the cold and maintain the desired temperature, preventing the soil from warming up too much. In warm regions, work is carried out even in the second half of December.

Care

After seedlings appear, basil crops need daily care. They require watering, fertilizing, loosening and weeding.

Seedling care:

  1. Containers with seedlings are periodically rotated so that all plants are in equal conditions. Otherwise, some of the seedlings will be elongated and weakened. If there is not enough light, the plantings are illuminated with phytolamps.
  2. Water the seedlings very carefully, trying not to expose the roots and water from above. Warm and settled water is used. Avoid overwatering to avoid causing blackleg to appear. This dangerous disease has no cure. It can only be prevented. Seedlings affected by blackleg die. They must be pulled out and destroyed in time. To prevent planting, spray with a urea solution (1/2 tsp per 1 liter of water).
  3. Every 2 weeks, planting is carefully loosened so as not to touch the roots.
  4. When 5 leaves appear, the tops of the seedlings are pinched to enhance bushiness.
  5. When the side shoots grow, the seedlings are fed with organic fertilizer - humus or rotted manure.

Further care for basil seedlings depends on the type of soil it is planted in - greenhouse or open. Caring for basil planted in open ground:

  1. Basil needs regular watering. In the absence of rain, watering should be daily.
  2. Once every 2 weeks, foliar feeding is carried out with saltpeter or urea.
  3. When the 5th pair of leaves appears on the plants, pinch the plants.
  4. Three weeks after planting, the first harvest can be harvested.

How to sow in open ground

When planting basil before winter, it is important to properly prepare the site, and do it in advance. It is also necessary to take into account a number of nuances in order to create good conditions for the seeds and ensure their safety until spring. Any mistakes will lead to a decrease in yield or death of planting material, so it is imperative to follow agricultural techniques.

Soil preparation

You should not plant basil in the same place for two years in a row, this will increase the risk of diseases and pests. Observe crop rotation; the best predecessors will be root crops, cereals or green manure, which can be sown even in early autumn. Remove plant debris and weeds, if any, from the site in advance. Carry out work like this:

  1. Apply fertilizer. Organic matter is suitable: rotted manure, compost or humus at the rate of a bucket per square meter, often wood ash is added to the composition (1-2 cups per bucket). If the soil is highly acidic, add lime or dolomite flour - 300 g per square. Use a complex mineral composition, apply it according to the recommendations on the package.
  2. Dig the bed to the depth of a spade bayonet. Try to get the fertilizer into the ground. Remove all rhizomes and other plant debris that you come across.
  3. Loosen the surface to a depth of approximately 5 cm with a metal rake. Break up all the clods and ensure the soil dries well. This can even be done several times if the soil moisture is high.

Carry out the work about a month before the main stage, so that the soil has time to compact and excess moisture evaporates. If there are poultry or other animals in the yard, throw branches on the surface. When the ground is heavy and wet, prepare several buckets of dry sand.

Sowing

Carry out work as soon as favorable conditions arrive, at which time everything should be ready. Pre-sort the seeds and separate any damaged ones. Do not soak under any circumstances; winter sowing should be done only with dry seeds, as they tolerate cold much better. Follow the sequence:

  1. Make holes or furrows about 3 cm deep. You can leave them for a while so that the soil dries out a little. If the soil is clayey, add a small layer of sand.
  2. Spread the seeds according to the pattern recommended by the manufacturer; usually the row spacing is from 20 to 40 cm, depending on the variety. Place 2-3 seeds in one place, as not all of them will sprout. Lay out the pelleted ones in 1-2 pieces, their germination rate is higher.
  3. Sprinkle the seeds with a layer of sand about 0.5 cm thick. Then add another 2-2.5 cm of soil, carefully level the surface, but do not compact it.
  4. Mulch the surface with peat or other material. Spread it evenly in a layer of about 10 cm. Do not compact it so that as much air as possible remains.
  5. Cover the top with roofing material or agro-cloth. It is most convenient to pre-assemble the frame from a block; it should be about 10 cm higher than the mulch. The air gap will provide additional protection against freezing.

Advice!

Spread the mulch generously so that at least another 30 cm is covered from the outer rows. This way the soil will not freeze at the edges.

Do not place plantings in lowlands where water can accumulate; the seeds will become wet and die. Strongly blown areas should be avoided. To improve growth and accelerate the emergence of seedlings in the spring, you can make a warm bed; to do this, you need to dig a trench and put plant debris in it, which, when decomposed in the spring, will warm the ground.

How to properly plant basil seedlings

Let's figure out how to grow basil from seeds at home. Below we will look at the main stages of planting a plant.

Basil is a spice and the shell of its seeds is saturated with essential oils. To speed up germination, it is recommended to keep the seeds at a temperature of about 30ºC for 10-14 days. For example, on the battery.

Immediately before planting in the ground, basil seeds are dipped in a saturated solution of potassium permanganate for half an hour.

Preparing the soil and container

First you need to prepare a loose and nutritious earthen mixture: humus, peat, sand in the ratio (2-4-1). To destroy fungal spores and weeds, the mixture must be sifted and steamed in a water bath.

You can sow basil seeds in seedling boxes, cassettes, and individual cups. Some gardeners plant basil seedlings in snails and even boothills! (See video tutorial below).

The prepared soil is poured into a container up to 9 cm in height with drainage and holes at the bottom. The soil is lightly compacted, not adding 2 cm to the edges. The soil should be moist.

If several varieties are sown, cassettes can be used.

Attach labels so you can select the best ones later.

Cover the seeds with half a centimeter of soil, compact them a little again and carefully water them. Cover the containers with transparent material and expose to light.

How to care for seedlings

In a warm place at a temperature slightly above 20 degrees, seedlings will begin to appear in 1-2 weeks. Then the containers can be opened and the temperature reduced to 15-20 degrees.

Plants should be watered with water at room temperature 2 times a day, without over-watering or drying out. Protect from drafts!

Basil pick

After the first pair of true leaves appear, the sprouts must be planted in individual containers - pick.

At this stage, you can add ash (1/2 tbsp per 2 kg) or mineral fertilizers to the soil. Make a hole for each sprout, and transplant the young shoots into them to the same depth as before. The work should be done carefully so as not to damage weak roots. Sprinkle the planted seedlings with soil and compact them

Water carefully and, if some have fallen, correct them while the soil is damp.

Caring for the shoots is simple: the seedlings must be regularly watered with warm water.

Hardening

Two weeks before planting in open ground, grown seedlings need to be hardened off. For this purpose, it is taken out into the fresh air every day at a temperature of 7-10 degrees, gradually increasing the stay.

During the last few days, the seedlings can be left outside and not taken indoors at all. – she has already gotten stronger. If the place where the container with herbs is installed is chosen correctly, then the basil shoots will be strong and strong.

Why do the shoots stretch too long?

  • There is not enough light.
  • Too warm.
  • Early boarding.
  • Overdose of nitrogen fertilizers.

How to plant basil in open ground

When the soil warms up to 15 degrees, the seedlings can be planted in open ground. The best place for the plant is an area illuminated by the sun, where there are no drafts.

How to plant. During this period, the roots of the plants grew and filled almost the entire container and it was easy to remove. Plant at a distance of 20-30 cm, water well. Loosen and weed like other plants.

When the fifth true leaf appears, the shoots are pinched.

Then the bushes will become more lush. After the inflorescences have sprouted, cut them off with garden shears, then the bushes will sprout new shoots. If this is not done, he will stretch out and go bald.

It is important to know! The most fragrant leaves and shoots are collected at the beginning of flowering

Planting seeds in the ground

To plant basil seeds, the soil temperature must also be at least 15 degrees

It is important to make sure that there will be no return frosts

For planting, choose a sunny place, but without drafts. The soil is well soaked with warm water and grooves 1-1.5 cm deep are made. The distance between seeds is 10 cm, between rows is 20 cm.

Important! Do not allow the soil to dry out. This is especially important while the plant is young and during flowering. Don’t worry if young basil grows very slowly at first

Don't worry if baby basil grows very slowly at first.

After what and next to what you can plant basil

It is important not only to know when to plant basil, but also the specifics of planting it in the ground. First of all, it is worth saying that it is not recommended to plant basil after basil in the same place for more than a couple of years.

Good neighbors:

  • tomatoes and peppers,
  • legumes,
  • zucchini, pumpkin.

Unwanted neighbors:

  • cucumbers,
  • White cabbage.

Growing seedlings

This option is used for open ground and greenhouses. Depending on the method, it is necessary to adjust the timing and features of the work. In this case, the process is divided into 2 stages; it is important to grow the seedlings correctly and transplant them at the right time so that the plants adapt well. When growing, remember the following:

  1. Prepare containers of suitable size. These can be either special containers or improvised options. Treat and dry them before use.
  2. Buying ready-made soil is the easiest option and basil grows well in it. If the soil is taken from the garden, pour it with a solution of copper sulfate or calcine it in the oven. Add fertilizer: organic or mineral complex.
  3. Pour the soil mixture into the container in a layer of at least 10 cm. Make depressions or furrows and water well with warm water to saturate the surface.
  4. Soak the seeds for a day in warm water. Then place for 2-3 hours in a pink solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection.
  5. Place the seeds at a distance of 2 cm, row spacing - at least 5 cm. Carefully cover with a layer of damp soil, its thickness - no more than a centimeter. Cover the container with film and place in a warm, dark place.
  6. Remove the film daily and lightly moisten the soil with a spray bottle if it dries out. Let stand until shoots appear. Then move it to a windowsill or other well-lit place. Water about 2 times a week.
  7. Pick up seedlings at the age of 2-3 weeks or thin them out so that the plants in the box are located at a distance of approximately 10 cm from each other. Otherwise, they will not have enough space for normal growth and development.
  8. Feed periodically, use ready-made complexes or organic matter diluted with water. Monitor humidity; the air should not be very dry.

Pests

Basil has few pests, but all of them can cause critical damage to the plant. It is impossible to eat herbaceous greens that are infected or strewn with parasitic insects.

The main pests of basil:

  1. Aphid. A small green or black insect that lives in colonies and feeds on plant juices. Leaves infected with aphids curl, the plant stops developing and dies. Sticky secretions from aphids cause the development of fungal diseases. For treatment and prevention, wormwood, mustard, onion and garlic infusions are used. Infusions of tomato tops, dandelion and hot pepper also help. Spray basil 2-3 times with a break of a week.
  2. Meadow bug. He, like aphids, feeds on plant juices. The affected leaves become deformed, become covered with white spots and, turning brown, die. The methods of control are the same as with aphids. Grated tar soap diluted in a bucket of water or an ash solution helps a lot. The latter is boiled for half an hour, pouring 300 g of water. After boiling, bring the volume to 10 liters.
  3. Slugs. These voracious gastropods eat greens at high speed and leave sticky trails in their path. Slugs usually attack plants grown outdoors. To block the way for slugs, crushed egg shells or coffee grounds are scattered between the rows and bushes.

Growing at home

It is necessary to adhere to strict rules, to create conditions for the growth and normal development of plants. It is best to place basil on the south or west side of buildings to ensure proper lighting. Remember the following recommendations:

  1. Choose containers with a depth of at least 25 cm so that the root system has enough space. Flower pots are suitable, pour a 5 cm thick drainage layer on the bottom, then use fertile soil, which must be well moistened before sowing the seeds.
  2. Maintain the temperature around 25 degrees. When it drops to 15 degrees and below, plant growth stops.
  3. Provide at least 12 hours of daylight per day. In winter and autumn, install phytolamps for additional illumination.
  4. Water as the surface dries. It is advisable to moisten the leaves with a spray bottle in the mornings and evenings. Use only warm, settled water.
  5. In winter, reduce the amount of watering. Shorten shoots and remove flowers to create more greenery. To use, cut off the top shoots, then the bushes will not stretch.

Harvesting

Like all herbs, basil can be plucked individual leaves. This is done carefully so as not to tear the plant out of the loose soil. The root system of the crop is small, so a small force is enough for the plant to be pulled out of the ground.

Basil harvesting principles:

  1. Periodically - about once every 3 weeks, the tops of shoots with leaves are torn off or trimmed.
  2. Basil can be harvested throughout the growing season.
  3. Individual leaves are for culinary purposes and can be plucked regularly. The main thing is to prevent the bushes from being exposed, since if they are left without leaves, they die.
  4. After basil blooms, its leaves and other above-ground parts lose their characteristic aroma and taste and become bitter. Therefore, on bushes not intended for collecting seeds, all inflorescences must be cut off.

How and when is mass harvesting carried out?

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  1. Mass cleaning is carried out 2 times. Varieties with a particularly long growing season allow you to harvest 3 harvests.
  2. The first cleaning is carried out before flowering, when the buds appear.
  3. Greens are cut selectively. Select the longest shoots with large leaves. You can also cut off the tops up to 5 cm long. This pruning principle stimulates the growth of side shoots. The lower branches are left so that the basil continues to grow.
  4. The second cleaning is carried out a month after the first. By this time, side shoots of the bushes are growing, which, like the upper parts, can be cut off.

How to protect against diseases and pests

To reap a good harvest, you need to provide optimal growing conditions and treat basil against diseases and insects, if necessary. The easiest way is to understand the main signs of problems, to know exactly what and how to do in certain situations:

  1. Fusarium - dark spots appearing on the leaves. Occurs in conditions of high humidity and elevated temperatures. If you do not fight, the leaves turn more and more black, then the stem is affected, and the plants die. To process, infuse onion peel (1:4) for about 24 hours, then spray all the leaves outside and inside.
  2. Blackleg strikes when the soil is constantly waterlogged. The stem becomes thinner and darkens at the surface of the earth. It will not be possible to save the affected bushes; they need to be removed and the soil treated with a solution of copper sulfate.
  3. Drying and falling of leaves occurs due to lack of moisture. The problem can be easily solved with a few generous waterings.
  4. Curly leaves, their fleshiness and curling can occur due to excess water in the soil. There is no need to add water for a while.
  5. Yellow spots, pale veins or edges - all this indicates a lack of nutrition in the soil. Plants should be immediately treated with water-soluble complex fertilizer.
  6. Aphids infect leaves and reproduce on the reverse side. If it is detected, use folk remedies: infusion of yarrow, garlic or onion. Carry out work approximately every 5 days.
  7. Slugs are especially dangerous for young plants. To prevent their appearance, scatter eggshells over the garden bed or set traps in the form of plates with beer.

When normal soil moisture is maintained, fertilizers are applied on time and the regime is not violated, the likelihood of diseases decreases. And if you weed the garden bed and remove weeds, as well as destroy ants, then aphids will appear much less often.

Diseases

Basil, like most cultivated plants, is susceptible to a variety of diseases. Most often it is affected by fungal diseases, some of which are incurable.

Common diseases of basil:

  1. Fusarium. A fungal disease that affects blood vessels and poisons it with toxins. The stems of seedlings turn brown and thin, and the tops of adult plants dry out. Affected bushes gradually wither and die. The disease occurs in very warm and humid atmospheres. An infusion of onion peels is used for treatment. It is filled with water in a ratio of 1:4 and left for 24 hours. The strained mixture is sprayed onto the basil.
  2. Gray rot. This fungal disease is more common in closed ground. First, the lower leaves are affected, then the disease spreads to the entire plant. The affected areas are covered with dry light brown spots, which over time become covered with gray fluff. Gray rot is treated in the same way as fusarium - with an infusion of onion peels.
  3. Blackleg. This is a fungal infection that usually affects seedlings. The disease develops with high humidity and too much watering. The fungus, having affected the root neck, causes blockage of blood vessels. The stem turns black, becomes thin and soft, and the plant dies. Affected seedlings are removed, the rest are sprayed with copper sulfate diluted in water (10 g per 4 l).

On a note!

Spilling the soil in seedling containers with a solution of potassium permanganate (3 g per bucket of water) helps prevent the development of blackleg in basil.

To avoid having to use fungicides during cultivation, which cause poisons to accumulate in basil leaves, it is necessary to follow the following agricultural practices:

  • You cannot grow basil in one place for more than 3 years;
  • preventing thickening of plantings;
  • Sprinkle the soil with wood ash every week;
  • preventing soil from becoming waterlogged;
  • timely loosening and removal of weeds.

How to collect correctly

It is important to remove the greens at the time when they contain the maximum amount of essential oils and nutrients. Therefore, you need to monitor the plants and follow simple recommendations in order to increase the yield and extend the period of harvesting leaves several times:

  1. Watch for the appearance of flower buds. To prevent them from blooming - simply cut off the top part, since if the basil blooms, the content of nutrients in the greens will decrease.
  2. By removing flowers, the growth of side shoots is stimulated. Collect greens over a couple of months.
  3. Selectively cut off the longest shoots. Try to remove them evenly so as not to cause too much damage to one plant.
  4. Leaves can be consumed fresh, dried or otherwise prepared.

If there is a lot of basil, it can be dried in the oven at 40 degrees. The main thing is not to overexpose, constantly monitor when the leaves begin to crunch when pressed, stop drying, and store in a glass jar.

You can sow plants before winter only if you follow all the recommendations from the review and do not allow the seeds to freeze in the ground. When growing as seedlings or at home, maintain the appropriate temperature and humidity, and provide proper care for the basil so that it develops well.

Growing conditions

Growing at home is done in two ways - seeds or cuttings. The first method is simpler and more reliable; it is the one chosen by experienced gardeners.

Growing conditions:

  • soils are loose and fertile;
  • germination – when the soil warms up to +15°C;
  • fertilizers – preferably organic;
  • optimal temperature range – +22…+25°С;
  • watering – regular;
  • illumination – at least 12 hours.

A plant growing in unfavorable conditions, without sufficient water, light and nutrition, will not be able to accumulate the required amount of essential oil in its leaves and stems.

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