{"id":494,"date":"2023-01-14T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-14T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/?p=494"},"modified":"2023-06-27T11:30:46","modified_gmt":"2023-06-27T18:30:46","slug":"how-to-grow-basil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-basil\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Grow Basil &#8211; A Beginner&#8217;s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-layzr=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-to-Grow-Basil.png\" alt=\"basil plant growing in garden\" title=\"\"><br \/>\nBasil, which are known botanically as \u00a0Ocimum Basilicum, are a type of herbs that can easily be grown at home. Continue reading to learn the basics of growing basil as well as common mistakes to avoid along the way.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-basil\/#Best_Time_to_Plant_Basil\" title=\"Best Time to Plant Basil\">Best Time to Plant Basil<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-basil\/#How_to_Plant_Basil_the_Right_Way\" title=\"How to Plant Basil the Right Way\">How to Plant Basil the Right Way<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-basil\/#How_Much_Sunlight_is_Needed_to_Grow_Basil\" title=\"How Much Sunlight is Needed to Grow Basil\">How Much Sunlight is Needed to Grow Basil<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-basil\/#How_Much_to_Water_Basil\" title=\"How Much to Water Basil\">How Much to Water Basil<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-basil\/#How_Long_Does_it_Take_Basil_to_Germinate_and_Grow\" title=\"How Long Does it Take Basil to Germinate and Grow?\">How Long Does it Take Basil to Germinate and Grow?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-basil\/#When_to_Harvest_Basil\" title=\"When to Harvest Basil\">When to Harvest Basil<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-basil\/#What_Can_Basil_Be_Used_For\" title=\"What Can Basil Be Used For?\">What Can Basil Be Used For?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-basil\/#Can_Basil_Grow_in_Pots_and_Containers\" title=\"Can Basil Grow in Pots and Containers?\">Can Basil Grow in Pots and Containers?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-basil\/#Are_Basil_Safe_for_Bees\" title=\"Are Basil Safe for Bees?\">Are Basil Safe for Bees?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Time_to_Plant_Basil\"><\/span>Best Time to Plant Basil<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This will depend largely on your local climate, but as a rule of thumb, begin to plant the basil seeds \u00a02 weeks after the last spring frost. This is the best time to ensure that the seedlings survive the weather.<\/p>\n<p>To check when basil are most likely to thrive in your area, see the <a href=\"https:\/\/planthardiness.ars.usda.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map<\/a>. If you live outside the US, do a quick search for &#8216;plant hardiness zone + [city]&#8217;.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Plant_Basil_the_Right_Way\"><\/span>How to Plant Basil the Right Way<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There are a number of things to consider that will help you avoid some of the common mistakes of growing basil in your home garden. <\/p>\n<p>Often overlooked, your soil can have a huge impact on how well your basil grow. Generally, your soil should be rich, moist, but well-drained soil. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.esf.edu\/pubprog\/brochure\/soilph\/soilph.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Soil PH levels<\/a> should be around 6.0 to 7.5.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0roughly 10&#8243; apart. 10&#8243; apart. The seeds should be sowed at a depth of about \u00a0.25&#8243;. For each plant, be sure to sow at least a few seeds to ensure that at least one of them will germinate.<\/p>\n<p>Begin thinning your basil seedlings \u00a0thin or transplant plants to 10 inches apart when they are 2 inches tall.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_Sunlight_is_Needed_to_Grow_Basil\"><\/span>How Much Sunlight is Needed to Grow Basil<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The amount of sunlight is another key to a successful harvest. Too much sunlight will dry out your basil. Not enough sunlight will stunt your its growth or even kill it.<\/p>\n<p>Ideally, your basil should be getting full sun, which means as much sunlight as you can possibly give it, or at least 6 hours or more. <\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_to_Water_Basil\"><\/span>How Much to Water Basil<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As you&#8217;ve figured by now, a lot can have an impact on how well your basil do, and the amount of water is no different.<\/p>\n<p>Ideally, the soil should be damp to touch; not soggy or bone dry. If the leaves on your basil begin to change colors or start to look droopy, you need to adjust how much water you&#8217;re giving it.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, if you give it too much or too little water, you can kill it, so it&#8217;s best to just keep an eye on it and water as needed.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Long_Does_it_Take_Basil_to_Germinate_and_Grow\"><\/span>How Long Does it Take Basil to Germinate and Grow?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Now the fun part begins and you get to watch your basil grow.<\/p>\n<p>It takes approximately 5-10 days to germinate, and a total of 85 days from seed to harvest.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_to_Harvest_Basil\"><\/span>When to Harvest Basil<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The best time to harvest your basil is as soon as the plants are 6 to 8 inches tall.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Basil can grow up to about 12 to 24 inches in height.\u00a0.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Can_Basil_Be_Used_For\"><\/span>What Can Basil Be Used For?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Food Use:<\/strong> The rich and pungent flavor of this herb makes it perfect for pesto!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Flavor Profile:<\/strong> \u00a0Sweet with a spicy aroma and flavor; less likely to become bitter when slow cooking.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_Basil_Grow_in_Pots_and_Containers\"><\/span>Can Basil Grow in Pots and Containers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, you will ideally need a  12&#8243;+ containerfor each plant. This can help control weeds and keep your plant from growing out of control.<\/p>\n<p>It also gives you the flexibility to move your basil around if you need to adjust sunlight or bring it indoors to avoid harsh weather conditions.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Basil_Safe_for_Bees\"><\/span>Are Basil Safe for Bees?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, basil are safe for bees. <\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/usa\/sustainable-agriculture\/save-the-bees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GreenPeace.org<\/a>, bees pollinate human food crops that make up about 90% of the world&#8217;s nutrition.<\/p>\n<p>Given their importance in our ecosystem and food supply, I feel it is important to note that growing basil is bee-friendly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Basil, which are known botanically as \u00a0Ocimum Basilicum, are a type of herbs that can easily be grown at home. Continue reading to learn the basics of growing basil as well as common mistakes to avoid along the way. Best Time to Plant Basil This will depend largely on your local climate, but as a rule of thumb, begin to plant the basil seeds \u00a02 weeks after the last spring frost. This is the best time to ensure that the seedlings survive the weather. To check when basil are most likely to thrive in your area, see the USDA Plant <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":356,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,233,232],"tags":[84,22],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/494"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=494"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/494\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":810,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/494\/revisions\/810"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/356"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}