If you’re wondering how to care for a basil plant, you’re in the right place! We’ll cover starting seeds, planting, caring for, harvesting, and collecting seeds from your basil plant. In short, you’re about to learn everything you need to know about growing a basil plant from seed to seed harvest.
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How To Plant A Basil Seed – Everything You Need To Know
Growing your own herbs is a great way to provide your family with fresh and delicious meals! Basil is one of the most popular herbs, especially in the American and the Italian kitchen, so it’s a good plant to consider adding to your indoor or outdoor herb garden.
But how do you plant basil? What exactly does this aromatic herb need to grow, survive, and thrive?
Some people prefer to purchase their basil plants already started from a nursery or local garden store. However, if you follow these instructions, you will have no trouble planting your own basil seed from scratch.
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Different Types of Basil
There are many different types of basil and each type has its own needs in regards to growing zone, sunlight, and water.
Here are some of the most popular varieties of basil. Do your research on each type to determine which one (or ones) you want to add to your herb garden.
- Sweet basil
- Thai basil
- Genovese
- Lemon basil
- Spicy globe
- Purple basil
- Napoletano
- Ocimum Basilicum
- Lime basil
- Lettuce basil
- Green ruffles
- Globe basil
- And more!
There are roughly 150 varieties of basil available, and each one has its own specific use. Do your research to decide which variety is best for your individual needs.
Starting Basil Seeds Indoors
When planting basil from seed, you will first want to consider your local weather conditions. If you are planting your basil plant early in the season, you should consider starting your plant indoors.
Start your basil seeds indoors about 6 weeks before the last frost date. If the frost date is closer than this, or perhaps already passed, then it’s time to plant your basil outdoors!
To start your basil seeds indoors, get a small container, fill it with potting soil, and stick in a couple of seeds. Be sure to keep your soil moist and place it in a window or under a grow light.
Careful not to water your basil too much. If you have a problem with too much water, you can add drainage holes to your container. (This tip is also relevant if you keep your basil plant indoors long-term – while basil likes moist soil, too much water is still bad for it.)
If desired, transplant your basil plants outdoors after the last frost date has come and gone and the soil has begun to warm.
Starting Basil Seeds Outdoors
Wait until after the last frost date to plant your basil seed. You will want to make sure your soil has begun to warm.
If your climate is warm and your soil is ready to go, all you need to do is dig a tiny hole (tiny enough you can use just your fingers or a small garden spade) and stick in a couple of seeds.
You’ll want to add around 3 or so seeds to each hole, just in case 1 or 2 of your seeds don’t end up taking. (This is one of the perks of starting seeds indoors – you know exactly which plants are viable and which ones are not.)
Follow the instructions on your specific basil variety in regards to the amount of sun and water your plant will need. In general, basil plants tend to need 6-8 hours of full sun, or direct sunlight, per day and approximately 1 inch of water per week. (Basil likes to stay moist.)
Basil Plant Care – Caring For A Basil Plant Through The Growing Season
Like we stated before, most basil plants need 6-8 hours of direct or sunlight (full sun) per day and about 1 inch of water per week (they like to stay moist). However, be sure to follow the specific instructions related to your variety of basil.
Whether you are growing your basil indoors or outdoors, once your basil plant is established, you can pinch or snip off the center shoot (where your flower buds will grow) to create a bushier and fuller plant. This is all part of knowing how to care for a basil plant. If you are not ready to let your basil plant go to seed, you will also want to trim off all flowering stalks.
When growing basil, you will want to keep your soil moist and be sure to harvest before temperatures get too cold (unless you have chosen to keep your basil plant indoors, such as on a kitchen windowsill or something).
How to Harvest Basil (Indoor or Outdoor Plant)
When harvesting basil plants, you will want to go from the top down. It is better to harvest the top leaves before you move onto the bottom leaves.
It is also best to only harvest what basil leaves you need for that particular day unless you are ready to let your plant go dormant for the winter or send your plant to seed.
One of the best parts of learning how to care for a basil plant is knowing you have grown your own food and you can now feed your family something amazing!
Basil leaves can be used freshly picked or you can opt to dry your leaves. Drying fresh basil leaves can be done by hanging them upside down or by sticking them in a dehydrator.
You can store basil that has been dried in a cool, dry place until you are ready to use it. Many people use an empty spice container or a small plastic zipper bag.
Add your basil to soups, eggs, sauces, Italian dishes, meats, and more! There is not much you cannot add basil to. And fresh basil is so much better than the stuff you buy at the grocery store!
Collecting Basil Seeds From A Plant
Most people choose to let their basil plants go to seed at the end of the growing season, just before temperatures turn cold. If your basil plant is an indoor plant, you might not let your basil go to seed at all. The choice is yours.
If you decide you are ready to let your basil go to seed, stop trimming off the flower stalks. Once your flowers have turned to seeds, cut off the seed stalk and hang it upside down in a brown paper bag until it is completely dry.
Once your seed stalk is dry, gently roll the stalk between your hands to release the seeds.
Store the basil seeds in a cool, dry place until you are ready to plant them again.
Final Thoughts On Growing Basil Plants
Thank you for reading this blog post about basil care. We hope that we were able to help you grow and harvest your own fresh basil, while also teaching you how to plant a new crop in the springtime.
If there is anything else you want to know or if any of our suggestions didn’t work out for you, please leave us a comment below – we would love to hear from you!
One last thing- what are some of your favorite recipes with fresh basil? Comment below and let me know!
More Gardening Resources
Still want to learn more about gardening? Check out some of these great resources!
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Charlene has been dabbling in and learning about the homesteading lifestyle for almost 20 years. She recently started a real-world homestead with her extended family and is excited to share 20+ years of knowledge and experience with the world!
While she certainly doesn't know everything about homesteading and is learning more every day, she is excited to learn and grow along with YOU!
Charlene blogs about about homesteading at https://secretlifeofhomesteaders.com/.
Nancy Andres
Friday 24th of February 2023
What a fun post about caring for a bail plant. I saw it at FUNTASTIC FRIDAY LINK PARTY 425. I'll pin this post. My shares this time are #106, 107, 108, and 109. Enjoy and have a beautiful weekend. Warm regards, Nancy Andres @ Colors 4 Health