Basil - growing a spicy-flavoring plant from A to Z. How to plant basil in open ground with seeds

05.06.2017

You will learn all about how to plant basil in open ground seeds or seedlings and what needs to be done to make it feel great in your beds.

Basil is one of the most colorful spicy crops, so rich is the variety of types, colors, aromas, sizes and shapes of leaves. No wonder its botanical name translates as “fragrance worthy of kings.” if you have country cottage area, be sure to find a place for this spice.

Description

Basil – annual plant family Lamiaceae. The roots are thin, branched. The stem is tetrahedral, branched, 30-60 cm high. The leaves are petiolate, with a serrated edge, pointed at the top, elongated-ovate in shape.

Basil has many varieties. A plant with a very pleasant smell, each variety and species has a different smell.

Fresh and dry leaves are used as a seasoning for various meat, fish, and vegetable dishes. It is used for pickling cucumbers, to flavor vinegar, cocktails, and to flavor canned tomatoes.

Everything about the beneficial properties of basil and its use in medicine and cooking can be found.

Types and varieties of basil

There are many varieties of basil, all with different aromatic and taste properties. The names themselves speak about this - “Lemon Aroma”, “Clove”, “Anise”, “Caramel” and others. Varieties differ in height, size, shape and color of leaves, but primarily in aroma.

Here are descriptions of some of them, each good in its own way:

And this is just a small list. Not so long ago, gardeners knew only two forms of basil - green and purple, but now the choice is simply huge.

Growing basil from seeds

This herb loves warm, sunny climates, but can also be grown successfully in colder conditions.

Seed preparation

Basil seeds take a long time to germinate (over 20 days) due to the content essential oil. To increase germination, they are placed in pre-moistened warm water tissue and germinated at a temperature of +30+35C. When sprouts appear after a few days, the seeds are slightly dried “until crumbly” and sown.

Planting basil seedlings

The plant is heat-loving and even slight frosts will have a detrimental effect, so if you do not live in warm regions and the summer is short, it is better to grow basil with seedlings:

1. Small boxes are filled with soil for seedlings.
2. The seeds, since they are very small, can be scattered over the surface of the soil and covered with a layer of soil of about 1 cm.
3. Spray the soil with a spray bottle
4. Cover the box with transparent cling film and place in a warm place (about 22-25 C)

Under such conditions, the seeds will germinate in 5–7 days.

The film is removed and until the plants get stronger, the soil is moistened with a spray bottle as it dries.

When the plants reach a height of 5-8 cm, you can carefully plant them in individual containers or simply thin them out after 2-3 cm and switch to regular watering.

Don't water basil cold water and allow the soil to become waterlogged, since in this case the seedlings may die from “blackleg” - a disease when the stem in the root area turns black and becomes soft.

If there is a lack of light and heat, the seedlings may stretch out, in this case it is necessary to additionally illuminate them with lamps and consider heating.

Caring for basil seedlings - video

How to properly plant basil in open ground with seedlings

In the spring, it is important not to make a mistake with the timing of planting basil in open ground. It should be planted when the danger of frost has passed (approximately at the end of May - the first half of June, depending on the region).

Seedlings are planted in moist soil, preferably on a cloudy day. If the weather is hot and dry, then work is carried out after the heat subsides, in the late afternoon.

At what distance to plant basil seedlings:

• Between plants - 25 cm, between rows - 30-40 cm.
• In a checkerboard pattern, keeping the feeding area of ​​one plant 30x30 cm.

1. For planting, make grooves or holes in the garden bed (planting pattern of your choice)
2. 0.5-1 liters of water at room temperature is poured into each well (groove).
3. The plant is immersed there along with the lump of earth in which it grew.
4. Sprinkle basil with dry soil to such a depth that the root and part of the stem are in the ground, and the central bud with leaves remains outside.
5. Compact the soil around the plant.

Before the seedlings are completely established, you will need to water 0.5-0.7 liters for each plant 2-3 times. After rooting, watering is temporarily stopped, and the rows are loosened, destroying weed seedlings and crust.

When it gets cold, the planted plants must be covered plastic film, pulling it over the arcs.

How to plant basil in open ground with seeds

In southern and more or less warm regions, it can be grown by sowing seeds in the ground. It's better to use sprouted ones. The time when to plant basil seeds is chosen in such a way that the seedlings that appear in 10-14 days are not subject to frost - this is April-early May in the southern regions, and approximately the second half-end of May in other regions.

At what distance to plant

• Basil is sown in rows 40-50 cm wide. Planting depth is 1.5-2 cm.
• Filled grooves compact
• When the second pair of true leaves appears, the seedlings are thinned out, leaving 15-20 cm between them (about 5-6 plants per linear meter row).

Where to plant basil: place and soil

Basil is planted in areas protected from cold winds and well lit by the sun, since in the shade it develops worse, and the essential oil in the leaves becomes less, its quality decreases.

In areas with dry and arid summers, it can be placed in light partial shade.

Basil grows well in soil rich in humus. Does not grow well in heavy, poor soils. Does not tolerate sudden drops in temperature. At -15C, development is sharply inhibited, and at -1C it dies.

It is demanding on soil: higher yields are obtained on fertile black soils. It also succeeds on loose loamy and sandy loam soils, if they are well filled with humus, but on heavy, acidic and damp soils it grows poorly.

For growth and development, the most comfortable temperature is 20-25°C. When growing this spice, you should not allow the soil to dry out or become waterlogged.

Fertile, light, unshaded areas are allocated for basil!

What to plant basil with in the garden: grow it next to tomatoes, asparagus, various cabbages, sweet and hot peppers.

Caring for basil in open ground

Care consists of watering, loosening the soil, getting rid of weeds and, as necessary, fertilizing. In order for basil to grow thicker, you need to pinch the top shoot and regularly remove all flower buds.

Watering

Without timely watering, there will be no result: basil is demanding of moisture, especially during seed germination and in the period before flowering

Top dressing

On poor soils, if the plants develop poorly, during the summer they are fed with organic and mineral fertilizers: the first time in the phase of 5-6 true leaves, the second time 20-25 days after the first.

Nitrogen fertilizers significantly increase the yield of green mass, and phosphorus and potassium fertilizers increase the content of essential oil in the leaves.

Diseases and pests of basil

The rich taste of basil is loved not only by people, but also by garden pests.

Basil needs to be protected from slugs and snails. Aphids sometimes appear on young plants, and the field bug causes minor damage.

For guard spice plants Do not use pesticides against pests!

To repel insects and slugs, plants are dusted with wood ash.

To fight aphids and bugs, prepare the following decoction: 300 g of wood ash is boiled in water for 15-20 minutes, then allowed to cool and settle and diluted in 10 liters. water, mix and spray the plants.

May be affected by fusarium - leaf spot. To prevent this, always follow all care conditions and do not grow basil in the same place for several years in a row.

Basil harvest

Basil for herbs begins to be collected from young plants when their shoots grow to a height of 10-12 cm. Mass cutting is carried out before flowering begins, when the leaves and young shoots are especially fragrant.

Like many other spices, it is better not to uproot basil from the ground, but to break it off, or cut off the tops of shoots with several leaves.

In this way, further growth of greenery will continue, and you can harvest throughout the season. If you need a lot of basil to harvest for the winter, then cut off the entire stem, leaving 4 leaves at the bottom so that new leaves can grow from the axils.

Over the entire season, cutting can be done 3-5 times, obtaining 1-1.5 kg of greenery per 1 square meter. m.

As soon as the buds begin to appear on the plant, pick them off immediately if you are growing basil to collect the leaves, as they become coarser when they bloom.

Don’t miss the opportunity to get a fragrant harvest of this famous spice in your garden; now you know all the nuances of how and when to plant basil seeds in two ways: in open ground and seedlings.

• Bloom: at the end of July or beginning of August.
• Landing: 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.
• The soil: light, fertile, rich in humus, drained, breathable.
• Watering: as the top layer of soil dries.
• Top dressing: 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: seeds.
• Pests: aphids, field bugs, spider mites.
• Diseases: blackleg, gray rot, fusarium.

Read more about growing basil below.

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 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 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 is added per 5 liters of the mixture. mineral fertilizer and a couple of spoons of wood ash. 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.

Growing basil on a windowsill

How to grow basil at home.

Growing basil from seeds at home begins at the end of 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 of expanded clay is placed, broken bricks or pieces of foam. 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 the 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.

Basil feeding.

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.

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 have successfully grown basil in tree trunk circles 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.

Soil for basil should be light and rich in humus, and most importantly, water-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 the 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 bath), installing it in the garden in a sunny place.

Basil feeding.

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.

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– 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 in the background contributes to the development of the disease high humidity air;

Gray rot It 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 once a week wood ash, maintain the water balance of the soil on the site, loosen it and promptly remove weeds from the garden bed.

Basil pests.

Of the harmful insects, aphids and field bugs are dangerous to basil.

Aphid- the most harmful of pests, sucking 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 the sooty fungus that covers the plant. 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 against 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, after which it settles, filters and tops up with water to a volume of 10 liters. In particularly 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.

Lugovoi, or field bug just like aphids, feeding on the cell sap of 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 top layer soil. The methods for controlling field bugs are the same as for aphids.

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 odor and are more often used in Caucasian cuisine and in 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;
• – according to ripening dates– early, mid-ripening and late varieties.

TO the best varieties basilicas include:

• – Mauritanian– productive aromatic mid-season variety purple with an erect spreading bush up to 65 cm high;
• – Table- 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;
• – Dreamer– one of the most productive varieties of rich green color with a massive spreading bush, branched stem and lanceolate-oval leaves;
• – Balconstar – 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- a productive variety with a massive, erect 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– 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– one of the most common productive varieties with a clove-pepper aroma. Bush of medium height, leaves are purple, ovoid, medium size;
• – Troll– 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– a variety of Israeli selection, characterized by its endurance 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 a ornamental plant;
• – Red Ruby- a variety of American selection of mahogany-purple color, in which not only the leaves, devoid of the bitterness of 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.

Properties of basil - harm and benefit

Useful properties of basil.

The aroma of basil is due to the presence of essential oil in its above-ground part. complex composition, which 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 phenomena of the oral cavity - caries, ulcers, tartar, plaque and unpleasant smell from mouth. 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 and relieves spasms of different nature, used for inhalation of the upper respiratory tract. Basil leaf juice is used in the fight against fungal infections 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 treats 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 vein thrombosis lower limbs, 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 during this period breastfeeding Don't skip the basil.

Basil contains a small amount of mercury, so it is better not to consume it in large quantities even for absolutely healthy people.

But in order to get the desired harvest, it is important to know how to plant basil correctly and what conditions to observe when indoor growing this culture. After all, basil is a rather demanding plant, especially when it comes to heat, light and moisture.

To minimize mistakes when planting and caring for basil at home, it is more rational to first study the material presented below.

A photo selection and video master class will help you better perceive the information presented.

Basil at home, description of the plant

Basil is a popular genus of annual or perennial herbaceous plants family Lamiaceae. Shrub forms of basil are also found.

• In its natural environment, basil grows in tropical and temperate climatic zones. Africa is considered the birthplace of fragrant grass.
• A popular food spice, basil is also known as raikhon, reikhan, regan, rean or fragrant cornflower.
• The root of basil is superficial, the stem is straight, branched, and densely leafy.
• The oblong, toothed leaves of basil are covered with sparse hairs and can be colored green or purple.

• Nondescript small flowers basil of white, light pink or purple color, collected in an inflorescence spike or brush.

• The fruit of basil is nuts. The seeds remain viable for about 5 years.
• Externally, the aromatic herbal spice resembles a small lush bush, 15-80 cm high, depending on the variety.

Useful properties of basil

• The main advantage of the herb is its pronounced aroma, due to the presence of complex essential oil in the plant.
• The plant contains a number of useful vitamins (C, PP, B2), microelements, carotene, phytoncides, provitamin A, rutin, etc. Thanks to the complex of useful substances, basil stimulates the immune system, has a bactericidal, antipyretic, tonic and antioxidant effect.
• It is especially useful to eat basil for viral, infectious and respiratory diseases.
• In addition to its therapeutic effects, basil has a general strengthening effect on the body, improves memory, stimulates mental activity and strengthens nervous system.
• The aromatic spice copes well with inflammatory processes in the oral cavity (caries, tartar, stomatitis), and neutralizes bad breath.
• The use of basil is recommended for people suffering from flatulence or gastrointestinal diseases.
• Basil is widely used in food, as a seasoning to improve taste. Purple varieties of basil are considered the most fragrant. They are especially popular in the Caucasus and Asia. Green varieties are more in demand in European and Mediterranean cuisine.
• Basil also has contraindications. Thus, it is not recommended to abuse this spice for people with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, thrombophlebitis and vegetative-vascular dystonia.

Types and varieties of basil

There are a huge number of different varieties of basil in cultivation, differing in smell, color, appearance bush and ripening time.

The most popular types of basil are:

• Camphorous (fragrant).
• Purple (regular).
• Green-leaved.
• Mexican (brown).
• Spoon-shaped (lettuce-leaved).
• Large.
• Small-leaved.
• Puchkova.
• Lemon (Thai).

To grow basil at home, it is better to choose small-leaved, low-growing varieties of basil that form compact bushes that are not tall (up to 0.5 m).

Let's look at the most common and popular varieties of this series:

• Marquis is a mid-early variety, reaches a height of no more than 25 cm. The bushes are compact, spherical in shape. The green leaves have a bright clove-pepper aroma.
• Basilisk is an early-ripening, low-growing variety, no more than 20-25 cm high. It has a pronounced pepper-clove aroma.
• Dwarf - grows no more than 10-18 cm in height, comes with green or purple leaves. It is considered a popular aromatic herb. It is used both for food and as an ornamental herb.
• Troll is a small-leaved green-purple variety that grows up to 40 cm in height. A productive variety that is resistant to temperature changes.
• Clove - a medium-growing variety, distinguished by an unusual clove-anise smell.
• Spicy Globe - forms spreading low bushes with small leaves with a spicy aroma.
• Philosopher is a low-growing purple variety with a pronounced clove aroma.
• Bush Minette is a variety of miniature bushes, great for growing in a pot.
• Cinnamon - forms small bushes, has a cinnamon scent.
• Balkonstar is a low-growing variety with small lettuce leaves of high taste. Grows well in pots on the windowsill.

Among the large-leafed representatives of basil, the most famous varieties are:

• Table - characterized by medium-sized bushes and large light green delicate leaves. It has high productivity and medium ripening time.
• Yerevan is a productive clove-pepper variety. The leaves are medium sized, purple in color.
• Genoese is a productive variety with large, dark green, aromatic leaves. The spicy aroma is complemented by subtle mint notes.

If you choose basil varieties based on the desired aroma, you should pay attention to the following varieties of basil:

• Lemon, Lemon Aroma, Freshness - have a pronounced lemon aroma.
• Lemon miracle is a variety with lemon-mint notes.
• Velvet, Gourmand mint - varieties that stand out for their bright menthol taste and smell.
• Favorite, Malachite and Caramel are unusual varieties for basil with a caramel aftertaste.
• Karakum, Cinnamon, Cinnamon - have the aroma of cinnamon.
• Robin Bobin, Delight, Red Ruby, Robin Hood are prominent representatives of clove basil varieties.
• Pomegranate nutmeg, Gigolo, Fantaser are varieties with nutmeg and peppery notes of smell and taste.

Basil, features of planting at home

By planting basil in an indoor pot, you can have fresh herbs almost all year round. Let's consider all the features and conditions for growing basil at home. Compliance with the key rules for planting spices will ensure a 100% positive result.

Conditions for planting basil at home

• Before planting or sowing basil, it is important to take care of high-quality soil for the plant. Basil prefers light, sandy loam, loose and fertile soil. If the soil turns out to be poor, you can correct the situation by regularly feeding the plant.
• Basil needs systematic watering. It is important that the soil is well permeable and moisture does not stagnate. Stagnation or excess moisture provokes plant rotting. Good water circulation will be ensured by light structured soil or a good drainage layer in a container or flower pot. Fine gravel, crushed stone or expanded clay are suitable for drainage.
• Soil composition may vary. A ready-made, purchased soil mixture or a self-prepared substrate will do. For it, peat, humus (or compost) and garden soil are taken in equal quantities. Gardeners advise taking soil for germinating basil, first calcining it in the oven and thus ensuring its disinfection.
• The place for growing heat-loving basil in the house is chosen to be sunny, warm, well heated, and protected from drafts.
• Basil is grown from seeds or cuttings (sprouts).

Time to plant basil at home

• You can grow basil in a pot all year round. The main thing is to create the necessary conditions for the full development of the plant. The most optimal time will be, of course, spring, when there is an increase in daylight hours and it becomes noticeably warmer. During this period, there will be no need to organize additional lighting and insulation of the plant. The sun's rays become more intense and warm up well through the window glass.

Rules for planting basil in an indoor pot

• Basil can be grown immediately indoor pot(seeds or cuttings) or transplant the plant from the garden (greenhouse).
• To transplant a plant into a pot, take a young, non-blooming basil bush and, preserving the natural lump of soil as much as possible, plant it in a prepared flower pot.
• The plant quickly takes root and blooms. Experienced flower growers It is recommended to pick flowers so that the bush actively grows green mass.
• Given the well-developed root system of basil, flowerpots or pots are voluminous and deep.
• If indoor basil is not enough during short daylight hours sunlight, you will have to provide the plant with additional lighting. And if there is a lack of heat, you can wrap the pot in film.

Reproduction and planting of basil by cuttings at home

• To propagate basil using cuttings, cut young shoots or the tops of adult basil bushes.
• The shoots are placed in a container with water for germination for 1-1.5 weeks. The appearance of roots indicates the shoots are ready for planting.

• Sometimes, they practice rooting cuttings directly into the soil substrate, without keeping them in water. Then, the planted cuttings are covered on top with jars or cut plastic bottles. Watering with a root formation stimulator will speed up the establishment process.
• Cuttings planted in the ground quickly take root and after 2-3 weeks they actively increase green mass, delighting those around them with fresh aromatic herbs.
• Plants grown in this way will “last” for about 3-4 months. After flowering, the leaves, unfortunately, become unusable and lose their aroma.

Reproduction and planting of basil seeds at home

• Sowing basil with seeds is considered a longer process, but also more productive. Whereas, propagating a plant with thin, delicate shoots often does not have a positive result.

• Basil bushes grown from seeds will be fully formed only after 8-12 months. But, the lifespan of such a plant will also be much longer.
• When planting basil seeds in containers or pots, it is important to prepare the soil and drainage first.
• A drainage layer about 2 cm thick is laid on the bottom of the container. Then the soil mixture is filled in (humus and peat in a ratio of 1:2). The soil can be additionally watered with liquid mineral fertilizer.

• Before sowing, the seeds are soaked for 1-2 days in warm water and disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate for 2 hours. The water needs to be changed every 10-12 hours.
• Seeds are placed on leveled, moist soil and covered with a small layer of soil (1-1.5 cm), not reaching the edge of the container by at least 3-4 cm. The distance between the seeds should be about 3-5 cm. Dense shoots will be needed later thin out.
• The pot with seeds is covered with film until the first shoots appear. This greenhouse effect stimulates faster seed germination. It is important not to forget to ventilate the container (lifting the film) and moisten the soil.

• Basil is a heat-loving plant, so the room temperature should be at least +20 - 25 0 C.
• If all conditions are met, the first shoots will appear within 1.5 weeks. During this and subsequent periods, it is important to provide the seedlings with the most favorable conditions: warmth, light, loosening, watering.

• When the basil bush has grown enough, you need to pinch its top so that it grows in width rather than in height.

Basil at home, plant care

Planting and caring for basil requires patience and constant attention. After all, if a pot of basil is exposed to a draft, it will stop growing and “wither,” and if the ambient temperature is below +20 0 C, the plant will begin to lose its valuable spicy aroma.

The winter period of growing spices also requires a special approach. Daylight hours of less than 12 hours will require additional artificial lighting for basil, otherwise the plant simply will not be able to actively develop.

Otherwise, caring for basil includes the usual agrotechnical measures: watering, loosening, fertilizing, protection from diseases or pests.

Watering basil at home

The plant needs to be watered regularly as the soil dries out. Moderate humidity has a positive effect on the growth of green mass by the plant. Stagnation of moisture is as undesirable as drought. Watering is best done in the morning. Water for irrigation should be settled and warm. Along with watering, you can spray the basil bushes with a spray bottle or watering can. After watering, the soil must be loosened so that a crust does not form.

Fertilizing basil at home

It is enough to deposit once a month complex fertilizers to stimulate basil foliage growth. The first fertilizing is carried out during the period of active vegetative growth of the plant, before flowering. For these purposes, use a solution of nitrophoska, at the rate of 2 tbsp. fertilizers per 10-12 liters of water.

Diseases of indoor basil

Basil is a fairly disease-resistant plant. In rare cases, the crop may be affected by fungal diseases such as black leg, fusarium, and gray rot.

Often, these diseases are a consequence improper care for basil: excessive and frequent watering, high acidity and poor soil aeration, thickened plantings.

The name of the disease “Blackleg” fully reflects the symptoms of the disease, when the stem at the base turns black and the plant dies. To cope with the problem, basil bushes are shed with a solution of manganese, the affected plants are removed along with a lump of earth. During the acute phase, you cannot do without fungicides (Fitosporin, Topaz, Fundazol).

When Fusarium disease occurs, the stem becomes thinner and darker, and the top of the plant dries out. Gray rot is manifested by the appearance of light brown spots on the leaves and other parts of the plant. To treat these diseases, basil is treated with an infusion of onion peels or, if unsuccessful, with fungicides.

As for pests, there is virtually no danger for basil grown indoors.

Harvesting basil

To prolong the life of basil and preserve as much as possible all the aromas of the plant, you need to regularly pluck off flowering shoots of basil. This procedure, moreover, stimulates branching of the bush.

Correct formation of the bush also depends on timely and regular pinching of the top of the basil. The procedure begins in the phase of appearance of 4-6 true leaves and continues as the plant further develops.

Basil leaves can be dried and ground into powder to make it convenient to use as a seasoning for preparing various dishes. You can harvest when the plant reaches at least 10-15 cm in height.

When plucking several leaves from a basil bush, you need to choose the oldest, side leaves first. It is important to ensure that at least 4 lower leaves are always left on the plant, otherwise the basil will stretch upward instead of bushing properly.

Thus, knowing how to plant basil correctly and how to properly care for the plant, there will be no difficulties in growing this valuable spicy crop.

The main thing is to remember that light and heat-loving basil does not tolerate cold, drought and, conversely, stagnation of moisture. Otherwise, the requirements are similar to many other vegetable crops.

For those who are cultivating basil at home for the first time, it would be appropriate to look at a photo of how a healthy, well-developed basil grows and looks.

Photo of the basil

Video: “Growing basil at home”

Any housewife would be pleased to serve dishes seasoned with fresh aromatic herbs, which, by the way, can be grown at home. Growing basil from seeds on a windowsill is a simple and exciting task, and the resulting harvest will delight you for many months. Spicy herb goes well with meat and fish dishes, vegetable salads, Italian pasta sauces are prepared only with basil.

Basil has many beneficial properties. The plant is rich in essential oils, which have a bactericidal effect; it has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract and immune system. Eating this aromatic seasoning normalizes sleep, strengthens the nervous system, and increases potency.

The plant can be used as medicine. The decoction is useful for rinsing the mouth because it has an antibacterial effect. It can be used as an antipyretic and diaphoretic for colds and pulmonary diseases.

This set of wonderful properties makes growing spicy seasoning at home on the windowsill a very useful and necessary activity.

How to plant: seeds or cuttings?

In order to plant basil on the windowsill at home, you first need to prepare the ground and container for planting. Since we are interested in an abundant mass of leaves, the plants will need ample space. Long flower boxes or pots are used for growing. At the bottom of the container you must put drainage - expanded clay or broken brick.

Garden soil is suitable, with the addition of humus. It is advisable to fertilize the soil first. To do this, prepare a solution of potassium sulfate, superphosphate and urea: half a teaspoon of each fertilizer per 5 liters of water.

You can grow the seasoning from seeds or cuttings. The seeds are buried into the soil no more than 1 cm. When planting in boxes, the distance between the seeds should be at least 10 cm so that the plants do not interfere with each other. You can plant no more than 2 seeds in a pot, depending on the size of the container.

You can also plant the plant from cuttings, as it takes root very easily. Fresh stems purchased at the market or store will do. Cuttings are cut from the middle of the stem and water is added. After about 2 weeks they can already be planted in the ground.

Growing basil from seeds

For getting great harvest at home it is necessary to provide the plant with good lighting and comfortable temperature. It is better to place the plantings on a sunny windowsill; when growing in winter and autumn, it is advisable to provide additional lighting - for example, use fluorescent lamps. Since basil is a heat-loving plant, you need to monitor the temperature and avoid drafts on the windowsill in winter. If the boxes with plantings are on the balcony, they are covered with film at night.

After planting the seeds, the soil needs to be watered abundantly and covered with film, because... optimal temperature for their germination – +26–28 degrees. Shoots emerging from seeds require regular watering, but overwatering should not be allowed. It is also advisable to loosen the soil every 3 days to saturate it with oxygen.

Caring for basil: watering, fertilizing, collecting

Caring for plants is simple and does not take much time. Growing spicy seasoning at home on a windowsill is possible if the conditions of watering, fertilizing and harvesting are properly observed.

• Water the plantings every other day with warm, settled water, preferably in the morning. In dry, hot weather, watering every day is acceptable. When the soil dries out, the plants begin to turn yellow and drop their leaves. Overwatering can lead to various diseases.
• To feed plants at home, nitrogen fertilizers are used, which help increase green mass, for example. Dilute the fertilizer according to the instructions on the package and add it to water for irrigation 2-3 times a week.
• Harvesting involves cutting off the top of the shoots without damaging the stems. After cutting, the plants begin to actively branch. To harvest for future use, you can cut off the entire upper part, leaving 4 lower leaves, then the plant will sprout again. The emerging flower stalks are cut off, since leaf growth stops during flowering.

Basil diseases

Under unfavorable conditions - when the soil is waterlogged or at low temperatures - plants can become infected with various fungal diseases.

1. Blackleg. Fungi that cause the disease are present in any soil. They infect the base of the stem of young seedlings, which turns black and thins, the plant turns yellow and dies.
2. Fusarium. Both soil and seeds can be infected with these fungi. The root system of both adult and young plants is affected. In young ones, the stem becomes brown and thins; in adults, the top dries out, as a result the plant withers.
3. Gray rot. Pathogens are present in the soil and first infect the lower leaves of plants. Brown spots appear on infected areas, which are then covered with gray mold.

Fight these diseases chemicals This is not possible, since the leaves of the plant are eaten.

At the very beginning of the disease and for prevention, you can spray the plantings with an infusion of onion peels. 1 cup of husk is poured with 4 cups of boiling water and left for 24 hours. Then they filter and spray not only infected but also healthy bushes.

To prevent fungal diseases, you must adhere to the following rules:

• do not thicken plantings;
• avoid waterlogging of the soil;
• regularly loosen row spacing;
• remove diseased plants with a clod of earth.

So, growing basil from seeds on a windowsill will not be difficult if you follow a number of simple rules for caring for the plant at home. Every year more and more of our compatriots are interested in growing vegetables and herbs right in their apartments. Indeed, in this case, you can be absolutely sure of the environmental purity of the resulting products, and not everyone has a summer cottage.

Which variety of basil to choose for growing depends only on your taste. There are varieties with cinnamon and lemon taste, with an anise smell, there is a variety with a sweet and not tart taste, a variety with purple leaves, popular in Caucasian cuisine. Each of them is good in its own way and will help you create a varied and unique taste of dishes prepared with it.

Basil is a valuable aromatic annual plant that, depending on the species, can grow into a compact or well-branched bush.

The flowering period for this plant falls at the end of July (maybe at the beginning of August, depending on when it was planted in the ground). It is at this time that it accumulates in the leaves a large number of essential oils, due to which the bushes begin to exude a pronounced aroma, and this is a sign that it is time to harvest.

The harvested crop is laid out in a thin layer in a dry and dark place, where there is no access to direct sunlight and dampness. A properly dried plant does not lose its color, taste and smell, and after drying the leaves easily break and, if necessary, are ground into powder. Dry spices are stored in glass containers with a sealed lid. In this form, it can retain its benefits and aroma for 3-4 years.

Types and varieties

By color There are two types of basil leaves: green and purple. Green basil is used to prepare Mediterranean dishes, and purple basil is used in Caucasian and Central Asian cuisine.

By smell : Lemon, clove, anise, peppermint, peppermint, menthol, caramel and vanilla flavors.

Or is he ordinary , camphor - a plant whose tetrahedral stems reach a height of 50-70 cm. The stems and leaves have a rough surface to the touch and have a rather tart taste. Among the varieties of this species you can find: “ Ararat », « Magic of the East ».

- annual plant. It got its name because of the bright purple color of the leaves. It has a more pronounced aroma compared to green varieties. The most fragrant varieties: “ Purple " And " Mauritanian ».

It is a small bush with light green leaves.

The bushes reach a height of 40-60 cm, with bright green, glossy leaves with a lilac tint and a pronounced cinnamon aroma.

They are small bushes (up to 30-35 cm in height) with green foliage with a lemon aroma.

(“pepper”) differs from other species in its unusual color; its stems and leaves have a dark purple, sometimes reaching almost black tint.

Depending on the variety, you can find bushes reaching only 30 cm in height, or tall specimens - 55-65 cm. The taste is characterized by a pronounced peppery aroma, which is well preserved even after drying.

- a plant up to 30 cm high, with red-lilac leaves. Depending on the variety, they have an aroma ranging from delicate vanilla to a strong clove scent.

Basil planting and care in open ground

One of the important points when growing basil is the time of planting it in the ground. Since this is a fairly heat-loving crop, the soil temperature during planting should not be lower than 20-25°C. Even the slightest frost can destroy tender basil leaves. The optimal time is considered to be the end of May - the beginning of June.

Choosing a place for this aromatic plant, it should be borne in mind that he loves well-lit areas with light soils, which include humus, peat and compost. Before planting, it is recommended to moisten the soil with a solution consisting of potassium sulfate, potassium chloride and urea in equal proportions (0.5 teaspoons/l of water).

Seedlings are planted in beds, maintaining a distance of 20 cm between seedlings. It is best to do this in the late afternoon (so that the fragile plant does not get sunburn), on a warm day.

Watering basil

Watering should only be done with soft and settled water. Basil does not require too frequent watering (no more than twice a week, in the absence of rain and high air temperatures), since stagnation of water in the soil is fraught with disease.

Fertilizing is carried out once a month with nitrogen fertilizer (for example, nitrophoska - 2 tbsp/10 l of water).

Basil pruning

Removing flower stalks and the upper parts of the leaves will allow you to get a more lush bush, which means more fragrant leaves.

Basil growing from seeds

This propagation method is as follows: the seeds must be soaked in any stimulant solution (for example, Epin) for 8-10 hours.

Then dry on a cloth and sow the already dried seeds in boxes or open ground and cover with polyethylene. Control moisture, water as needed and moderately. After 1.5-2 weeks, shoots will begin to appear.

Propagation of basil by cuttings

For this method of propagation you will need a couple of branches of an already mature and healthy plant. The cuttings are placed in water with the addition of a growth stimulator.

After 1.5-2 weeks, roots will begin to appear, which means that they can be planted in open ground or in pots.

Diseases and pests

Very important point is the fact that basil cannot be grown every year in the same place, not earlier than after 4-5 years.

The most common are fungal diseases ( blackleg , fusarium And gray rot ) arising from violation of the rules of care: stagnation of water in the soil, growing in one place for several years in a row, poorly drained and not weeded soil (it is necessary to loosen the soil around the bush from time to time to prevent the formation of a crust).

The diseased plant is removed along with a lump of soil around the roots. If you identify the disease at an early stage, you can try daily spraying with an infusion of onion peels (at the rate of 100 grams of onion peels / 400 ml of boiling water - leave for 24 hours) or a solution of copper sulfate (1 teaspoon / 2 liters of water).

Basil beneficial properties and contraindications

Basil is very useful plant, containing vitamins C, B2, PP, ascorbic acid, provitamin A, sugar, carotene, P-rutin and phytoncides. In addition, basil leaves are rich in essential oils containing components beneficial to humans: saponin, camphor, ocimene, cineole, methylchavinol, eugenol, estragole.

Basil has immunostimulating properties that protect against viral, fungal and bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, including relieving the symptoms of bronchitis and asthma.

It is an antipyretic and diaphoretic, can clear mucus from the nasal passages and lungs, significantly improves digestion (nutrient absorption and fat burning), strengthens the nervous system (normalizes sleep, stimulates mental activity and improves memory).

Contraindications : since the plant contains mercury compounds, it should not be consumed by children under seven years of age or pregnant women, and consuming basil in large quantities can harm even an adult, healthy body and lead to poisoning.

Basil infusion : dry, ground basil herb (8-10 g) pour one glass of boiling water, leave for 4-5 hours, strain through cheesecloth and take as tea.

Basil oil : Apply 4-5 drops of basil essential oil to a piece of refined sugar and take 2 times a day after meals.

Basil bath : brew a small amount of basil herb with boiling water, leave, strain and pour into the bath. Take no more than 20 minutes.

Basil powder : Grind the dry herb in a mortar until a powder forms and apply to areas with swelling.

Herbal collection : pour boiling water in equal parts of basil, sage and lemon balm, leave for 5-6 hours and take as tea with honey to strengthen the nerves and clear the mind.

Tomatoes with mozzarella and basil recipe

For cooking, both leaves and shoots are used, fresh and dried, whole or chopped, for any meat, fish or salad dishes. Basil is indispensable when pickling cucumbers, zucchini and squash.

Ingredients :

• Mozzarella cheese – 125 g
• salt, pepper (ground black or a mixture of peppers) - to taste
• Cherry tomatoes – 8-10 pcs., or regular tomatoes – 2 pcs.
• green onion - to taste
• lettuce leaves – 4-5 pcs.
• basil – 5-6 leaves
• dill - a small bunch
• balsamic vinegar – 1 tbsp. l.
• olive oil – 2 tbsp. l.

Cooking : if you use cherry tomatoes, then simply cut them into two parts, and if you use regular tomatoes, then cut them into large cubes.

Remove the cheese from the brine and rinse lightly with boiled water, then cut into the same large cubes as the tomatoes.

Cut the basil into thin strips, finely chop the dill and onion.

Mix chopped greens with tomatoes and cheese. Salt and pepper to taste. To prepare the dressing, mix olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Pour the dressing over the salad, add lettuce leaves (you don’t have to cut them, just tear them into small pieces), and stir.

Basil pesto recipe

Ingredients :

• green basil leaves – 30g
• parsley (leaves only, no stems) – 10 g
• parmesan – 50g
• pine nuts – 40g
• garlic – 2 cloves
• sea ​​salt (coarse) – 2/3 tsp.
• olive oil (extra virgin) – 100mm
• wine vinegar (white) – 1 tsp.

Cooking : grind garlic with sea ​​salt in a mortar until smooth.

Fry the pine nuts in a frying pan for several minutes, stirring constantly, until a pleasant nutty aroma and golden color appear (do not overcook!).

Grate Parmesan on a fine grater.

Wash the basil and parsley well, select some leaves, and dry. Chop a little and pour into a blender, add grated garlic with salt, nuts and a couple of tablespoons of butter. We begin to beat using only low speed, without allowing the sauce to heat up. Add the remaining oil and vinegar. After the formation of a homogeneous mass, all you have to do is add the cheese, mix again and that’s it – the sauce is ready.

Store in glassware in the refrigerator, no more than 5 days.

Important : the amount of oil can be adjusted depending on the desired thickness; the presence of wine vinegar gives the sauce a certain piquancy; it may not be added.