"Growing basil indoors or out." Try growing basil indoors as well as in your outdoor herb garden. Basil helps to repel flies and other flying creatures. Just rub the leaves occassionally and keep the plant close to a window or doorway, where flies would normally enter.
There's also the added bonus of having basil leaves at your fingertips to add to all your summer tomato dishes and green salads!
Basil is an annual plant and therefore needs planting fresh every year. I've always started basil plants from seed and had great results. Basil originates from Asia and will not tolerate cold weather. Keep the small seedlings warm until around mid-may ( or after the last frost ) when it should be warm enough to plant them outside. Buy your seeds from a reputable supplier. There are loads of different varieties of basil to choose from and their tastes differ as much as their names and shapes! Some are mild flavoured and others are bordering on hot and spicy. Check the variety before you buy. Thompson and Morgan have a range of basil seeds...
Plant your seed in fairly warm seed compost in trays in the greenhouse or in a warm spot in the house. Keep soil moist and make sure there is enough light for the seeds to germinate. Don't hide the seeds away in a dark corner of the house because the soil will mould and it's unlikely you'll get the seeds to germinate. Growing basil near a window works well.
When your seedlings have 4 or 5 true leaves ( not counting the first 2 ), they will be ready to plant out. If the weather is warm enough, plant directly into the ground outside in full sun if possible. Basil likes the sun and won't grow well in too much shade. Basil grows in small bushy shapes and you can dot them about the garden rather than growing in a line in the veggie plot. Basil is known to repel flies and aphids, and planting one or two basil plants in your tomato patch and around other veggies will cut back on the pests in the garden. Place one near the back door so it's always easy to pick a few leaves for dinner. Plant your seedlings in soil that has been dug and raked to a fine tilth. Basil doesn't feed heavily, and will tolerate fairly poor soil conditions, although a couple of small organic feeds during the growing season would help leaf production. Plant some out in pots you can move around the house or give away. Basil grows very well in containers and a large pot of basil on the patio smells great, repels flying insects, and looks very pretty! NB: Basil seed can be grown directly outside in lines to be thinned out later. Don't plant seed outside until all danger of frost has passed.
When the seedlings have 5 or 6 leaves, they should be thinned to allow at least 6 inches per plant, depending on your variety.
Pinch off flower heads as they appear to encourage the plant to produce more leaves. Keep watered but not water-logged. Because basil is usually placed in direct sun, drying out of the roots can be a problem. Once a week, make sure you give the roots of your plants a good soaking. Keep cutting! Pinch or cut leaves from your basil plants as and when you need them. As with many herbs, basil likes to be picked and will grow well if you pick leaves regularly. Get rid of weeds and mulch a little round the plants to stop weeds and keep ground damp. And during the summer months you should never serve one of your freshly grown tomatoes without a little chopped fresh basil from the herb garden!
Although basil is undoubtedly tastier if used fresh, it is also storable: >Dry leaves in an airy place for a few days, crumble and keep in airtight glass jars. Basil will keep it's smell and taste for ages stored like this, but it will fade eventually. Hopefully not until your next crop is ready to pick! >You can layer fresh basil leaves and cover in olive oil. Refridgerated or kept in a cool place, basil will keep for a few months in oil. Use the leaves as required, and then use the basil-flavoured olive oil in salad dressings. >It's even possible to freeze basil. Cut stalks and freeze quickly then place in a sealed bag before storing in the freezer. Remember to label!
Growing basil isn't hard and is a great annual herb to add to your vegetable or herb garden. Get the children involved too. Basil is quick to germinate and easy to grow, and it doesn't matter how many leaves get picked ( within reason ), the plant will keep on growing!
Happy Gardening! More "Basil" Reading
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