Basil, one of the most popular warm-weather herbs, it is extremely fragrant and used in many delicious dishes. Most commonly known for the ingredient that makes up pesto, basil is best planted in warm soil and will yield an abundant harvest within weeks. Here at That Plant Shop, the leading online plant nursery in Sydney, we specialise in providing our customers with the highest quality of transplants- ranging from rare garden plants to beginner friendly indoor plants. Due to our years of expertise, we have provided some tips on growing the beloved basil plant.
Sunlight and soil
The most common type of basil is sweet basil, where it mainly grows outdoors in the summer once the soil has warmed up nicely. Basil is very easy to grow- where it is best grown in a location that gets at least six to eight hours of sunlight daily. The soil for planting basil should be moderately fertile and moist good draining. Basil works well in raised beds as it will allow for further draining. Generally, you want your soil to have a pH of around 6 to 7.5, where it is slightly acidic to neutral. Assuming you plan on cooking with your basil, be sure to plant in clean soil- avoiding insecticides- avoiding busy streets so that car exhausts do not damage your plant.
When to plant
If you want your basil as soon as possible, be sure to get a jump on planting them. Start planting your seeds indoors around six weeks before the last spring frost. If you are using a transplant, then you can plant at the start of summer. If you are planting outside, make sure the soil is at least 10 degrees Celsius, preferably 21 degrees for optimal growth. If during the night the temperature drops below 10 degrees, you may want to consider planting a bit later. Without proper heat, your basil plant will not grow, so do not rush it.
How to plant
When planting your basil, ensure that it is during the day, where temperatures are at least 21 degrees Celsius. Sow seeds no more than ¼ inch deep- the same goes for transplants. Ensure that there is enough room for the plant to grow. Basil plants can grow up to 12 to 24 inches in height, so make sure you do not plant them too close together.
Consider That Plant Shop
Our online plant nursery takes good care of all the plants we sell and ensure that they are all virus free and healthy. Our basil plant- basil bella- is easy to grow in herb gardens, vegetable gardens or even in your kitchen window. If you have space in your garden, use basil as a companion to help attract beneficial insects for other crops. To place an order, click here.
