Basil is a fragrant seasoning that can bring magical effects to ordinary dishes and is easy to grow. Fresh basil and dried basil taste very different, almost like two completely different herbs. Of course, fresh basil is more flavorful than dried basil. Read this article to learn how to grow and harvest basil.
How to sow basil is part of a series of tutorials on growing basil. The tutorial also includes sowing seeds, caring for basil, harvesting and using basil. If you want to know how to sow basil, follow this article from the production department Learn the illustrated tutorial on growing basil.
How to sow basil
1Choose the variety you want to grow. There are many varieties of basil, each with a different aroma. Do some research and find a variety or varieties you like to grow. You can buy the corresponding seeds from a florist. Check out our recommendations first:
- Cinnamon basil has a sweet flavor and produces beautiful, fragrant flowers.
- Lemon basil contains citral. Citral is the aroma component of citrus fruits, and lemon basil also smells strongly of lemon.
- Purple basil is mostly used for ornamental purposes, with charming fragrance and gorgeous flowers.
- Some basils are perennial and will continue to grow the next year after they die. Examples include African blue basil (which has blue veins on its leaves) and Thai basil. But most basil is an annual, so you have to plant a new batch every year.
- Greek basil and fragrant basil are more difficult to grow, but they can grow small bunches with tight leaves, which are suitable for ornamental and gardening.
2Sow seeds indoors. Sow seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Basil likes warmth and sunshine, so it is safer to sow seeds indoors to prevent basil from being damaged by frost. - If you live in a hotter placeIf the area is large, you can also sow seeds outdoors.
- If you don’t know when the last frost will be, check a perpetual calendar or ask a local gardener.
3Prepare the containers and soil for planting. Fill a square pot or separate container with equal parts vermiculite, perlite and peat soil. Press the soil lightly to remove air. Moisten the soil with water to prepare the right environment for the seeds to germinate. 
< span class="step">4Sowing seeds. Bury one or two seeds in each container and cover lightly with soil. Wrap the pot with plastic wrap to keep the soil moist. Place the flower pot under a sunny window, peel off the film twice a day, and sprinkle water into the soil to keep it moist. 
< span class="step">5Remove the plastic film after the seeds have germinated. When you see the first tendrils of green shoots emerging from the soil, its time to remove the film. Water the sprouts twice a day and never let the soil dry out completely. When the plant reaches a few centimeters tall and the leaves begin to mature, the basil can be moved to a larger container.
DIY Tips
- If your basil seedlings are skinny and spindly, they may not be getting enough sunlight.
- Basil can also be planted directly in the garden, so you don’t need to cultivate them first, so you can choose varieties that grow quickly, such as lemon basil, which is a good choice. But actually, all basils grow quickly and prolifically, and you don’t need to plant them ahead of time.
- When direct seeding in the garden, make sure the surface of the soil is moist. But there are some rules against overwatering, saying to keep the surface of the soilSlightly dry. But you must pay attention to the degree of dryness. Seeds or seedlings without deep roots are very fragile and can do a lot of damage to them once the soil dries out for a few hours.
- Water basil moderately, watering the flowers with warm water twice a day until the basil grows.
- You can also cross-culture basil with other plants. Basil is said to enhance the flavor of tomatoes and peppers, and also protects against worms and aphids.
Notes
- When watering, do not get the leaves wet. Unless you are doing a foliar spray or foliar fertilization - leaves can sometimes become infected with insects.
- Don’t overlook the opportunity to grow basil. There are many unexpected varieties of basil, choose the one that is most useful and interesting to you to grow.
- When moving basil from indoors to the garden, make sure you gradually acclimate the basil to the outdoor environment rather than suddenly moving it outdoors and leaving the basil unable to adapt to the change.
Planting basil
How to care for basil, illustrated tutorial on growing basil
How to Harvest and Use Basil Planting Basil Picture Tutorial
