Author: Elena N. https://floristics.info/ru/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=19 Category: Garden plants Published: June 12, 2016Last edits: January 06, 2021
- How to grow basil at home
- Planting basil in the ground
- Basil diseases
- Useful properties of basil
The plant fragrant basil (lat. Ocimum basillicum), or camphor, or garden, or common, is a herbaceous annual species of Basil of the subfamily Catnipaceae of the Lamiaceae family. In the wild, basil grass grows in China, Iran, India, Africa, southern Asia, the tropics of the American continent, Central Asia and the Caucasus. It is assumed that basil originated from Africa and was brought to Europe by soldiers of the army of Alexander the Great. Our ancestors used basil primarily as a medicinal plant. Today, this herb is grown throughout the world as a food spice.
Planting and caring for basil
- Flowering: late July or early August.
- Planting: sowing seeds for seedlings - at the end of March or in the first half of April, transplanting seedlings into open ground - in the second half of May. Sowing seeds in the ground - no earlier than the beginning of June.
- Lighting: bright sunlight.
- Soil: light, fertile, rich in humus, drained, breathable.
- Watering: as the top layer of soil dries.
- Feeding: once a month. The first time - 2 weeks after planting the seedlings in the ground with a solution of 2 tablespoons of Nitrophoska in 12 liters of water, using 3-4 liters of solution for each m².
- Reproduction: by seeds.
- Pests: aphids, field bugs, spider mites.
- Diseases: black leg, gray rot, fusarium.
Read more about growing basil below.
Growing conditions
Basil successfully germinates in central Russia under the following conditions:
- the air temperature at the time of disembarkation must be at least 15 degrees Celsius;
- For full growth, peat must predominate in the soil; it is better to purchase ready-made soil suitable for growing greens;
- It is better to choose the brightest place; basil will not germinate in the shade.
An important condition for growing greens is not only compliance with the conditions and characteristics of growing the plant crop, but also planting in accordance with the planting dates. Experienced gardeners recommend using the lunar calendar, since there are certain days on which it is better not to carry out land work.
Basil plant - description
The root system of basil is superficial, branching, the stem is tetrahedral, straight, branched, leafy, reaching a height of 50-70 cm. Sparsely toothed, oblong-ovate leaves of basil are located on short petioles. Both stems and leaves are covered with villi. Axillary pale pink or white, and sometimes purple flowers are collected in irregular whorls. The fruit of the plant consists of nuts that separate from each other after ripening. Basil seeds remain viable for about five years.
Purple varieties of basil have a sharper aroma, they are popular in Asia and the Caucasus, while in Europe they prefer green basil - it is one of the most popular spices in Mediterranean cuisine. Basil emits its strongest aroma before flowering.
In our article we will tell you how to grow basil from seeds, when to sow basil for seedlings, how to grow basil at home, how to plant basil in open ground, what benefits of basil can be, and also what can be harmful to basil - in in general, everything that might be needed for those who decide to grow basil at home or in the garden.
- Planting vegetables in April in open ground
Basil propagation methods
Growing basil at home on a windowsill is easy. There are two main ways to propagate the spice: sowing seeds and rooting cuttings. Both of them have their advantages. Thus, when propagating by cuttings, the first harvest can be obtained much faster than when sowing by seeds. But at the same time, the choice of varieties is often limited. You have to use the material that you can get.
What method of propagating basil will you use?
SeedsCuttings
When propagated by seeds, the harvest is harvested approximately 1.5-2 months from the appearance of the first shoots. But in specialized stores you can buy varieties for every taste and aroma.
Features of sowing and care of young seedlings
Seeds are purchased in a specialized store, choosing suitable varieties
Since all parts of the plant, including its seeds, are rich in essential oils, special attention should be paid to pre-sowing preparation. The fact is that these aromatic compounds slow down germination
To speed up the process, the seeds are soaked for a couple of days, changing the water twice a day. Then they are washed in potassium permanganate and dried on a paper napkin.
The planting depth of basil when sowing is small - 1 cm. After the seeds are sprinkled with soil, the pot is covered with film or a bag to create a greenhouse microclimate. For large containers, glass can be used for this purpose.
The container with the sown basil is transferred to a warm place. In order not to wash out the seeds, the soil is not watered, but is periodically sprayed with warm water (approximately +30°C).
Proper planting of basil at home contributes to the early appearance of the first shoots. They usually begin to appear within a week. Then you can remove the film or glass. When the seedlings thicken, they should be gradually thinned out, first removing the weakest sprouts. And so on until there is a distance of 7-10 cm between the bushes. When the seedlings reach 5-7 cm in height, you need to add a little soil to strengthen them.
The nuances of propagation by cuttings
To grow basil in this way, you need sprigs from an adult, but not too old plant. Lignified shoots take root more easily. They simply don't have enough strength anymore.
The cuttings can be broken off, but it is better to cut them with a sharp knife. Then there are two ways - immediately stick the twig into the damp soil and cover it with a jar, thus creating a microclimate for rooting. Or put it in water so that it takes root. The second method seems easier to many. This is due to the fact that a cutting with roots adapts more easily after planting, suffers less pain and grows faster.
In this way you can grow basil on a windowsill in winter. In this case, cuttings can be taken even from purchased greens. Such a plant will produce fresh leaves for at least 4 months.
Growing seedlings
The essence of the method is simple. Sow the seeds thickly. In the phase of three or four true leaves, young plants should be planted in separate pots or other prepared containers for a permanent “place of residence.” In this case, you can immediately pinch the tip of the main root - pick to form a strong root system. This will have a positive effect on the general condition and further growth of basil.
Growing basil with a rooted bush
This method is used in cases where it is a shame to leave the plant in the beds to freeze. It is simply dug up and placed in a pot. Basil may suffer a little, then adapt and continue to grow. It often blooms.
Some believe that when basil blooms, it accumulates as much nutrients and essential oils as possible during this period. This is the time to harvest the plant by drying the above-ground part. This spice has the most pronounced aroma and taste.
Before harvesting, it is enough to cut a few cuttings to provide yourself with fresh herbs in winter.
Planting basil seedlings
When to sow basil for seedlings
Basil can be grown either by seedlings or without seedlings, but it is safer to first grow seedlings from seeds and then transplant the seedlings into open ground. In the article “Planting vegetables for seedlings in April,” we described in detail how this process is carried out. For those who have not yet read the article, we will tell you about it right now.
So, when to sow basil for seedlings? Best in the first half of April.
Basil seedlings are planted in a prepared soil mixture of four parts rotted compost, two parts humus and one part washed river sand, which must be sifted and steamed for an hour in a water bath. Gardeners who prefer seedling mixtures sold in stores will need to spill the substrate with a solution of Fitosporin or a strong solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection.
You can grow basil seeds in a box, but then you will have to pick out the seedlings after some time, or you can sow basil in cassettes 5-7 cm deep. Basil is sowed in well-moistened soil to a depth of about 1 cm. The distance between rows in the box should be about 5 cm. After sowing, the container is covered with glass or plastic film and kept in a warm, bright place at a temperature of 20-25 ºC. In about a week or two, the first basil shoots will appear.
Growing basil from seeds
After seed germination, the transparent coating from the box can be removed, and the temperature should be lowered to 15-20 ºC. Caring for basil seedlings does not require any extra effort: water the plants as needed, not allowing the soil to dry out, however, waterlogging should not be allowed, otherwise the seedlings may be affected by blackleg, a fungal disease that can destroy all crops. If you notice symptoms of this disease, treat the seedlings with a solution of a teaspoon of copper sulfate in 2 liters of water or spill the substrate with a strong solution of potassium permanganate.
Seedlings growing in a common container are dived at the stage of development of the first pair of true leaves into a larger container with the same substrate, to which a spoonful of complex mineral fertilizer and a couple of spoonfuls of wood ash are added per 5 liters of the mixture. The depth of planting seedlings in a new container should remain the same.
When the basil seedlings take root and begin to grow, they are pinched above 6-8 leaves to stimulate the growth of side shoots. Two weeks before planting the seedlings in the ground, they begin to harden them by taking them out onto the balcony or into the yard, first for an hour, the next day for two, and so on, until the seedlings can stay in the fresh air for a whole day. Basil is planted in open ground when the return frosts have passed - in the second half of May.
Selection and preparation of seeds for sowing
The plant is warm and light-loving, demanding on watering and soil fertility. It will be necessary to show enough patience when caring for it and strictly follow the growing technology. Growing basil from seeds begins with purchasing suitable material and preparing it for planting. When choosing seeds, it is recommended to choose the most regionalized varieties cultivated specifically for your region. By carefully reading the instructions on the package, you will learn when you can sow seeds for seedlings, when directly into open ground, and when to harvest. Since basil contains essential oils, the seeds do not germinate well. Prepare the material following the recommendations:
- Pre-warm the culture by placing it in a warm place (near the radiator).
- Immerse the seeds in warm water (up to 30 degrees) for 15 minutes. The procedure should be repeated twice.
- Conduct disinfection by placing the material in a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate for 2 hours.
To speed up germination, which is especially important when growing seeds in open ground in June, the planting material (and soil) should be treated with a growth stimulator. After all procedures, do not forget to dry the seeds.
Growing basil on a windowsill
How to grow basil at home
Growing basil from seeds at home begins in late February or early March in the same way as growing seeds for seedlings, only you need to sow several seeds in a peat pot or peat tablet. Before planting basil, soak the seeds in a dark pink solution of potassium permanganate for a couple of hours. The crops are covered with a transparent, airtight material and kept under the conditions described in the previous section. Keep in mind that basil should be exposed to the sun for at least 3-4 hours a day.
When the seedlings develop the first pair of leaves, they, together with the tablet or pot, are transplanted into a large container - a liter pot, at the bottom of which a drainage layer 2-3 cm high made of expanded clay, broken brick or pieces of foam is placed. The substrate for homemade basil should be fertile, but light and permeable. For example, a soil mixture of one part humus and two parts coconut fiber. You can pick the first fragrant leaves for salads in just a month and a half.
Watering basil
Basil is moisture-loving, so the soil in the pot should be slightly moist at all times. You will have to water the basil almost every day, and you will understand this yourself when one day, due to your forgetfulness, its leaves hang like sails in calm weather. However, make sure that the soil does not become waterlogged, which can result in rotting of the roots. After watering once every 2-3 days, carefully loosen the soil in the pot.
Feeding basil
If you planted basil in not very fertile soil, you will have to correct this with regular fertilizing. The plant responds well to universal fertilizers based on humates or compost, which are applied to the soil in the concentration specified by the manufacturers, no more than once a month.
Possible seedling problems
Basil is a fairly unpretentious crop that has strong immunity against diseases and pests. However, due to non-compliance with planting and care rules, the following problems may arise:
Seeds don't germinate
There are several reasons. Poor quality product for sowing (expired, damaged, spoiled). Insufficient soil moisture. Lack of light. Very low temperature.
Pull
This usually happens when the stage of planting plants in separate containers during picking and the stage of cutting off the tops is skipped.
Yellowing of leaves
This is due to overfeeding with fertilizer. It is better to underfeed so as not to spoil the seedlings.
Growing basil in open ground
Planting basil in the ground
Basil is planted in open ground only in the second half of May, when the return frosts have passed.
Basil loves open sunny areas, protected from strong cold winds. Some gardeners successfully grow basil in the trunks of young fruit trees, which provide almost no shade, which does not prevent the basil from absorbing sunlight, and its strong spicy smell repels harmful insects from the seedlings. This is such a successful symbiosis.
- Vertical method of growing cucumbers: garter, shaping, watering
The soil for basil should be light and rich in humus, and most importantly, permeable. A month before planting, the site is dug up with humus, peat or compost at the rate of 2 kg of organic matter per m² of area. For planting, choose an evening or a cloudy day, dig holes at a distance of 15-20 cm from one another and plant basil seedlings in them. The interval between rows should be at least 30 cm. Water the planted seedlings well with warm, settled water.
Growing basil in the ground
Growing basil is a series of activities familiar to every gardener: watering, weeding, loosening the area, fertilizing, protecting from insects and diseases. For the first two weeks, newly planted, still weak basil seedlings are covered with film at night in case it gets cold at night. Until the basil begins to grow, weeds are regularly removed from the site. You will have to loosen the soil quite often - 7-8 times per season before watering. As soon as flower stalks begin to appear, gently break them off to encourage branching of the basil.
Watering basil
Frequent watering of basil has a positive effect on the appearance of new leaves, so they moisten the area as the soil dries. However, do not over-hydrate, as both under-watering and over-watering are harmful to basil. Water for irrigation should be warm (about 25 ºC) and standing for at least 24 hours. To settle and heat water, you can use a large container (barrel, old bathtub), placing it in the garden in a sunny place.
Feeding basil
To stimulate the growth of green mass, basil is fertilized once a month. The first time fertilizers in the form of a solution of 2 spoons of Nitrophoska in 12 liters of water are applied two weeks after planting the seedlings in open ground. Solution consumption – 3-4 liters per m².
What to plant after basil
It is undesirable to grow basil in one place for many years; you need to alternate different crops on the site. Rotation of crops is one of the main principles of success in farming. It is possible to return the crop to the place where it grew for 2-3 years only after 4-5 years. After basil, crops that are resistant to basil diseases should be grown on the site, for example: legumes, carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, pumpkins, early potatoes and tomatoes. For basil itself, good predecessors are green manure, tomatoes, onions, cauliflower and early white cabbage, beets, strawberries and green crops.
General rules of care
Proper care allows you to quickly see seedlings, carry out picking, and get good results. In about a week or a week and a half, the first leaves will be visible.
But watering and fertilizing do not depend on this. By providing the right amount of water and microelements, the gardener helps the basil develop fully.
Watering
The crucial moment is watering the basil. The growth rate, the condition of the root system and air humidity depend on it. Therefore, the procedure is treated with increased care:
- Moisten by drip. A 20cc syringe is used.
- Liquid for irrigation: water for manipulation is kept at room temperature for 2-3 days.
- You can use a spray bottle until young seedlings appear, and then to irrigate adult basil.
Pests and diseases of basil
Basil diseases
Basil plant is extremely resistant to pathogens, but sometimes health problems occur with it. Most often, basil is affected by:
Blackleg is a fungal disease of basil seedlings that develops in conditions of high acidity, poor soil aeration and too frequent and abundant watering. The fungus infects the root collar of the seedlings, as a result the vessels feeding the plant become clogged, the stem and its base become soft, turn black, thin out, the plant turns yellow and dies;
Fusarium - this fungal disease also affects the vessels of the plant, releasing toxins into its nutritious juices. In young plants, the stem becomes brown and thin, in adults the top dries out, they gradually wither and die. Too high a temperature coupled with high air humidity contributes to the development of the disease;
Gray mold most often harms plants in greenhouses and greenhouses, but basil in open ground can also get sick. The disease first appears on the lower, dying leaves, then covers the entire plant: dry, light-brown spots form on the affected areas, which gradually become watery and covered with gray fluff.
As a treatment for gray rot and fusarium, treat basil at the initial stage of the disease with an infusion of onion peels: pour one volume of onion peels with four volumes of water and leave for a day, then strain the infusion and spray the basil with it. Blackleg is treated by spilling the soil in seedling containers with a solution of potassium permanganate. Remove the diseased plants along with the earthen lump, and pour the remaining hole with a strong solution of potassium permanganate. But if the disease has taken hold, it is unlikely that you will be able to do without fungicides - Fundazol, Fitosporin, Topaz, Toivita Jet and others.
In order not to have to resort to pesticides, follow the agricultural practices of the crop: do not grow basil in one place for more than three years, do not sow it too thickly, dust the soil surface with wood ash once a week, maintain the water balance of the soil in the area, loosen it in a timely manner remove weeds from the garden bed.
Basil pests
Of the harmful insects, aphids and field bugs are dangerous to basil.
Aphids are the most harmful of pests, sucking the juice from the leaves and stems of basil, as a result of which the leaves curl, the stems stop developing, and the plant dries out. The sugary secretions of aphids are a beneficial environment for sooty fungus, which covers the plant with a dark coating. In addition, aphids carry viral diseases for which there is no cure. You need to get rid of aphids as soon as you discover their presence. To combat aphids, decoctions of wormwood, tansy, hot pepper, dandelion, yarrow, onion, garlic, tomato or potato tops, and mustard are used. You need to process basil in the ground two or three times with an interval of 7-10 days. A good remedy for aphids is a solution of 100 g of grated tar soap in 10 liters of water or an ash solution prepared according to this recipe: 300 g of ash is poured with boiling water and boiled for half an hour, then left to settle, filter and top up with water to a volume of 10 liters. In especially severe cases, when natural formulations do not help, treat the basil with Karbofos solution in accordance with the instructions - this insecticide is tasteless and odorless. Akarin, Bankol, Actellik cope well with the pest.
The meadow or field bug, like the aphid, feeds on the cell sap of the basil, deforms its leaves, they become covered with whitish spots, then turn brown and die. Damage to the plant is caused by both adult bugs and larvae of the bug. These pests overwinter in fallen leaves and in the top layer of soil. The methods for controlling field bugs are the same as for aphids.
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How to sow basil at home
To get strong seedlings that can withstand a sudden cold snap at night when planted in the ground, you need to sow the seeds correctly and on time, as well as provide proper care to the seedlings.
Sowing steps include:
- preparation of seed material;
- soil treatment;
- direct sowing and provision of greenhouse conditions.
Preparation of planting material
It is best to purchase seeds from trusted stores rather than random retail outlets. The packages always indicate the expiration date (germination) of the seeds - be sure to check them before purchasing.
In general, basil seeds germinate well even without pre-sowing treatment. Before packaging, industrial seed already goes through all the necessary stages of preparation. However, to obtain faster germination or when using your own seeds, you can treat them with growth stimulants (Zircon, Espin-Extra).
What soil is needed for seedlings
A loose, light substrate with good air and water conductivity is most suitable for basil. Suitable universal soil for vegetable seedlings. It is better to treat the finished soil with a strong solution of potassium permanganate or an antifungal agent, for example, Fitosporin.
You can also prepare the substrate yourself. To do this, take in equal proportions:
- garden soil;
- compost or humus;
- peat.
The soil mixture can be made with the addition of river sand:
- compost – 2 parts;
- peat – 4 parts;
- river sand – 1 part.
Soil mixtures made independently must be sifted and steamed in a water bath for an hour to destroy spores of pathogenic fungi and weed seeds.
In addition to soil, the use of peat tablets is allowed. They are convenient because when transplanting into the soil, the root structure of the seedlings is not disturbed, and the process is painless. The tablets are soaked in rain or melt water for several hours to swell.
Sowing seeds
For sowing, choose small glasses, a common container or special seedling boxes. Before sowing seeds, the container is treated with a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate for prevention. Next, adhere to the following algorithm:
- A drainage layer 1 to 1.5 cm thick is placed on the bottom of the prepared containers. Expanded clay, perlite, and brick fragments are suitable for this.
- The container is filled 80% with the prepared substrate, lightly compacted and leveled.
- The soil is moistened with warm, settled water (melted snow or rainwater is better) using a spray bottle. Direct watering is not suitable - it unnecessarily compacts the soil.
- When sowing in a common container, grooves are made in the soil with a depth of 0.5 cm and a distance between two furrows of at least 3 cm. In individual containers, a depression of 0.3-0.5 cm is made.
- The seeds are placed in the furrows at a distance of 3-5 cm using tweezers or a toothpick. In containers, two seeds are placed in one cavity.
- Sprinkle the top with a thin layer of soil - no more than 5 mm.
- Moisten the added substrate from a spray bottle.
- Cover the container with a plastic bag, glass or an opaque lid and put it in a dark, warm place with a temperature not lower than +23°C.
Types and varieties of basil
The most commonly grown varieties of basil are camphor (or allspice), Mexican (or cinnamon), purple (ordinary or regan) and lemon (Thai). The numerous varieties of basil vary:
- by shades of smell. They can be cold, tart, warm or sweet. The main smells of basil are: cinnamon, anise, pepper, lemon, vanilla, caramel, clove and menthol. Varieties with caramel, lemon, vanilla and cinnamon aroma are used for preparing dessert dishes and drinks. Those that have an anise smell are needed for preparing fish dishes, and clove and pepper aromas are needed for meat dishes;
- by color: purple basil and green basil. Purple varieties of basil have a stronger smell and are more often used in Caucasian cuisine and Central Asian dishes. Green varieties are more popular in Europe, particularly in the Mediterranean;
- According to the size and shape of the bush, basil varieties are upright, spreading, semi-spreading, compact, although there are also intermediate forms. In terms of height, low-growing varieties are known from 18 to 30 cm in height, medium-height varieties from 30 to 60 cm and tall varieties from 60 to 85 cm. It is more convenient to grow low-growing varieties at home;
- by ripening period – early, mid-ripening and late varieties.
The best varieties of basil include:
- Mauritanian is a productive, aromatic, mid-season purple variety with an erect, spreading bush up to 65 cm high;
- Zastolny is an erect bush up to 60 cm high with large light green leaves, ovoid in shape and delicate texture. This is one of the most aromatic mid-late varieties, characterized by good productivity;
- Fantaser is one of the most productive varieties of rich green color with a massive spreading bush, branched stem and lanceolate-oval leaves;
- Balkonstar is a low-growing variety with small aromatic leaves of excellent taste, suitable for salads. Grows well in pots on the windowsill;
- Genoese - plants of this productive variety have large, glossy, dark green leaves, fragrant and pleasant to the taste. Genoese basil leaves are consumed fresh and dried; sometimes it is added to soft drinks instead of mint;
- Gourmand clove is a productive variety with a massive upright bush of medium height with medium-sized green elliptical leaves. This basil perfectly complements the taste of fish, meat, potato dishes, as well as rice and cheese dishes;
- Basilisk is a compact variety for growing at home and in open ground with a clove-pepper aroma. The bush is erect, up to 20 cm high, the shoots are densely leafy with small, green leaves and are semi-raised;
- Yerevan is one of the most common productive varieties with a clove-pepper aroma. Bush of medium height, leaves are purple, ovoid, medium size;
- Troll is a mid-season, productive, small-leaved and compact variety for growing at home, resistant to sudden temperature changes. The leaves of plants of this variety are dark purple. The bush looks very attractive;
- Magic Mountain is a variety of Israeli selection, characterized by its tolerance to high and low temperatures and lack of moisture. Its neat round bush with green leaves with a purple tint looks great in the garden and as an ornamental plant;
- Red Ruby is a variety of American selection with a mahogany-purple color, in which not only the leaves, which lack the bitterness of the green varieties, are edible, but also the buds, which in America are usually added to omelettes.
The following varieties of basil have also proven themselves to be excellent: Charm, Marquis, Ararat, Velvet, Violet, Greek, Robin Hood, Dragon, Gigolo, Green Fragrant, Orion, Pepper Flavor, Tempter, Baku, Enchanter, Lemon, Dwarf, Curly, Philosopher, Broadleaf and others.
What varieties are suitable for growing?
"Clove" . Early ripening variety. The green leaves of this variety have a taste and aroma vaguely reminiscent of cloves.- "Cinnamon" . The purple leaves have a cinnamon flavor and are widely used in salads.
- "Violet" . Mid-early variety. Its large, red-purple leaves have a strong allspice aroma.
- "Ararat" . A mid-season, tall variety with blue-violet leaves that smell of pepper and anise.
Properties of basil - harm and benefit
Useful properties of basil
The aroma of basil is due to the presence in its above-ground part of an essential oil of a complex composition that has a bactericidal effect. Basil contains vitamins C, B2, PP, provitamin A, carotene, sugar, phytoncides, rutin. Basil protects the body from infections by stimulating the immune system. It even inhibits the growth of HIV and cancer cells. Basil has antipyretic, bactericidal, antioxidant, restorative and tonic effects.
Eating basil is indicated for viral, bacterial and fungal infections, respiratory and pulmonary diseases. It helps get rid of excess mucus in the nasal passages, excess gases in the rectum, improves memory, and strengthens nervous tissue.
Basil easily copes with inflammatory conditions of the oral cavity - caries, ulcers, tartar, plaque and bad breath. Having an astringent effect, it strengthens the gums, preventing premature tooth loss.
Basil helps the body cope with flatulence and gastrointestinal diseases. The enzymes it contains accelerate the breakdown and burning of fats in the body, and estragole and evengol stimulate mental activity.
Basil essential oil successfully heals wounds, relieves spasms of various natures, and is used for inhalation of the upper respiratory tract. The juice of basil leaves is used in the fight against fungal infections of the skin; aqueous extracts from the plant give good results in the treatment of gastritis and food poisoning.
Dried basil is used to make tea or make compresses to relieve headaches and eczema. Alcohol infusion of basil is used to treat colitis, pyelitis, whooping cough, neurosis, bronchial asthma, low blood pressure, inflammation of the kidneys and bladder, flatulence and the common cold.
Basil - contraindications
Since basil has a tonic effect, it is contraindicated for those suffering from diseases of the vascular-cardiac system - hypertension and hypertension, and especially for those who have suffered a myocardial infarction. Basil is also dangerous for patients with thrombosis of the veins of the lower extremities, thrombophlebitis, vegetative-vascular dystonia and diabetes mellitus. Hypotonic people can consume basil without fear.
Basil is not recommended in large quantities during pregnancy, especially for purple varieties of the plant, but for nursing mothers it is shown as a good lactogenic agent, and if your baby is not bothered by the strange taste and aroma of your milk, you can not refuse basil during breastfeeding.
Basil contains a small amount of mercury, so it is better not to consume it in large quantities even for absolutely healthy people.
Ripening time
- Early ripening. Leaves can be used 15-25 days after planting. These varieties include Delight, In Memory of Yuri Fadeev, Pearl of the Moscow Region, Pepper Aroma, Dragon and Gnome.
- Mid-early. They ripen in 30-45 days. Among this species for growing in your summer cottage, you can choose Stella, Philosopher, Naughty, Rosie, Emily, Cinnamon Aroma, Purple Salute, Rubru, Limoncello, Cinnamon, Black Prince, Smuglyanka, Moskvoretsky Semko.
- Mid-season. Leaves can be collected no earlier than 50 days after the first shoots appear. These varieties include Valya, Lyubimchik, Aniskin, Opal, Gourmet Clove, Freshness, Crimean, Markus, Sanka, Dark Night.
- Mid-late. The leaves become edible only 70 days after planting. Varieties Fantaser, Violet and Badery are not planted in cold regions of Russia if there is no greenhouse on the site.
Determining when it is time to harvest is not difficult. The first leaves can be cut off when the plant has reached 15 cm in height. After flowering, the leaves are also edible, but less fragrant. During this period, seeds are often collected for future plantings. They should dry out and turn brown. If you do not remove them in time, the seeds will fall onto the soil. Next year, the gardener will have to replant new shoots or remove them so that the bushes are not located too close to each other.
Basil can be used dried, boiled or fresh. It is also suitable for freezing.
How to avoid seedling death
Basil is quite capricious, so many beginners fail to grow good seedlings. Moreover, seedlings dissatisfied with growing conditions and agricultural technology may die.
Tips to help prevent the death of basil seedlings:
- Use oven-disinfected soil. If the soil is not disinfected, pathogenic bacteria and pests will develop in it, which will cause disease and death of seedlings.
- Don't neglect the quality of the soil. You cannot grow seedlings in heavy soil - the seeds will not be able to sprout in it.
- Basil does not like acidic soils. Grow it only in soils with neutral acidity.
- Buy seed material only in agricultural stores and check their expiration date.
- Do not rush to sow seeds for seedlings. Basil sown in February will experience light deficiency.
- Do not over-moisten or over-dry the soil. In an excessively humid environment, basil will suffer from fungal diseases - blackleg and others.
- Provide the seedlings with enough light, otherwise they will stretch out.
- Thin out or pick seedlings, avoiding thickening. Lack of space leads to starvation of plants; they receive less nutrition and light.
- If the leaves have changed color, they may be overfed with fertilizer. You should not fertilize basil more than once a month.
On a note!
Basil has a spicy aroma that repels insects. If you plant it near the berry fields, they will be saved from pests without the use of insecticides.
How to plant correctly
It is better to plant not in hot sunny weather, but in cloudy or evening weather. We maintain a distance of 40 cm between the rows, and 30 cm between the bushes in one line. After planting, water with settled and warm water.
There are two ways to plant seeds: in rows and in bushes. The first method wastes a lot of seeds. With the second, you will need much less seeds, while a whole plantation of basil will grow.
How do I do this? Sharing:
- I mark lines at a distance of 20-25 cm. In each line I mark points - mini-holes at a distance of 20-25 cm from each other. I put a few seeds in them and sprinkle them with a little soil.
- Shoots appear in groups. After they grow a little, I leave 3-4 of the strongest seedlings in each hole, and pluck out the rest.
- To increase the green mass, I pinch so that 5-6 leaves remain. When branches grow from the axils, the seedling will begin to bush. Then I tear off only the tops of the plant, where flowering is already underway with 2-4 leaves.
The more often you pinch, the more the plant begins to bush. Over time, the planting site looks like a solid monolith of greenery.
