Basil
Overview:
Basil is a lovely foliage to have throughout the warm growing season. There are so many different kinds of basil, that each has unique qualities to them.
Starting seeds:
Starting seeds is relatively easy for basil. I start them inside underneath a heat mat in March and transplant them into the field in April. I like to wait until the night temperatures are above 50.
When starting seeds indoors, lightly cover seeds with seed starting mix. Seeds typically will take 4-6 weeks to root out into the cells they are growing in. I typically leave 2-3 seedlings per cell when im thinning them out.
When to plant outdoors:
April-September
Spacing:
6-9” If you have a mildew issue, plant on the 9” spacing side to leave room for airflow.
Sun:
Full sun 6-8+ hours
Pinching:
Yes! Pinch plants when they are about 4-6” tall. Pinch out center growing tip to encourage branching.
Flower Support:
I recommend using Hortonova netting or Peony Cages for cardinal basil, other varieties usually do not need support.
Fertilizing:
Give High nitrogen fertilizer to encourage growth in young plants. Weekly liquid fertilizing is also advised for optimal growth. I use Neptunes Harvest or Maxsea fertilizer.
Typical Harvest time:
May-November
Succession plant?
Yes! I typically plant out a succession in the spring, and then again during monsoon season. Old basil plants can get woody, and prudoce shorter stems. For cutting I like to plant 2-3 succession per year. I curate my basil with the seasons. Here's what I typically plant out when:
Spring:
Lemon Basil - 65 days till harvest
African basil- 65 days till harvest
Cardinal basil- 100+ days till harvest
Fall:
Cinnamon -65 days till harvest
Post Harvest:
Basil if one of the few crops that benefit from floral food from what I’ve found. I like to store this in a wine fridge or in my living room because they do NOT like to be in the cooler. Optimal storage between 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Vase life:
5-7 days
Seed Sourcing:
Johnny’s seeds and Geo seeds are my go-to’s.
Favorite varieties:
Cardinal Basil
This is such a unique basil. Most basils are used for their foliage when grown as cuts, but I use this one for its flowers. They make these large maroon-purple plumes that are PERFECT in any fall arrangement. They do take longer than your average basil to come to maturity. I typically plant these out in April and May and harvest them from September through December.
Lemon Basil
This basil is filled with summertime bliss. It can be combined with lots of different flower with its green foliage. Ive used it before for food garnishes, as well as on its own purely for aromatic purposes.
