Basil, also called great basil, is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae. Basil is native to tropical regions from central Africa to Southeast Asia. It is a tender plant, and is used in cuisines worldwide
Plant Specifications
Common Name
Basil
Maximum Reachable Height
12 to 24 inches
Bloom Time
summer
Difficulty Level
easy
Planting And Care
Water regularly – basil likes to stay moist and requires approximately 1 inch of water every week.
Fertilize lightly –basil is a vigorous grower requiring very little to no fertilization.
Pinch back leaves – pinch leaves from the tips of your basil as soon as the plant has two sets of true leaves.
Light Requirement
Basil grows best with at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day.
Part of knowing how to care for basil is watching the sun patterns in the location you are growing this aromatic herb.
With proper sunlight, your plant will be big and beautiful for several months out of the year.
Soil
Basil does its best in well-drained, moist soil with a neutral pH.
I add a rich compost to the soil at the beginning of the season.
Not much more soil amendment is necessary.
In fact, if the soil is too rich, basil loses some of its flavor intensity.
Watering
Water regularly – basil likes to stay moist and requires approximately 1 inch of water every week.
Water deeply at least once a week to keep roots growing deep and the soil moist.
Basil growing in containers will need more frequent watering.
Application of Fertilizer
compost or rotted animal manure into the top 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20.5 cm.) at planting time.
If you think the plants need a little extra help, you can use a very light application of a dry fertilizer once or twice during the growing season
Re-potting
Fill the pot no more than half full of potting soil, slightly bringing it up the sides of the pot.
Gently press the soil to help it stay in place, and then lightly, but thoroughly, moisten the soil with water.
Before repotting any herb, it’s important to carefully prepare the plant’s root ball.
Basil Uses
Medicinal Use:
Basil is used for stomach spasms, loss of appetite, intestinal gas, kidney conditions, fluid retention, head colds, warts, and worm infections.
It is also used to treat snake and insect bites.
Women sometimes use basil before and after childbirth to promote blood circulation, and also to start the flow of breast milk
Culinary Use:
The most common use of basil is for cooking, such as in tomato sauce, pesto, or vinegars.
But it also can be sprinkled over salads and sliced tomatoes, either whole or chopped.
Actually, don’t chop the leaves, but tear them instead for the most flavor.
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