Growing basil is simple, cheap, and easy, as long as you have the correct growing conditions. There are many different types and varieties of basil that you can grow in your garden, from sweet basil, used frequently in Italian cuisines, to more exotic varieties such as purple basil, with its dark purple leaves. If you have the correct type of soil along with the right amount of water, sunshine, and care, then your garden will flourish with little effort, no matter which type of basil you choose to grow. Before you know it, you will be cooking up fresh and healthy pesto and pasta dishes with your own basil that you grew and harvested.

Choosing A Type Of Basil To Grow

There is no right or wrong type of basil for you to choose to grow. Certain types of basil do grow better in certain conditions, but basil is simple enough to grow as it easily adapts to different soil types and water conditions. The best advice for choosing a basil is to first taste as many types as you can and then pick the best tasting one that you would also enjoy to cook with.

Selecting A Soil Type

Basil thrives when using a high quality, pH balanced, potting soil or rich organic soil with a perlite and peat mixture. You can also make your own potting soil by mixing regular potting soil with a cup of perlite and two cups of peat. The soil will remain moist and soft by using a high quality potting soil, which will ensure proper root growth. As always, the soil needs to be weed free before planting. Fertilizer can be added once a month or you can use potting soil with a time released fertilizer to encourage healthy growth.

Selecting A Growing Location

Basil can be grown in a pot or directly in the ground. When growing basil in a pot, ensure that there is adequate drainage at the bottom of the pot. Lining the bottom of the pot with coarse gravel or small rocks will ensure adequate drainage and allow the roots to grow freely. If growing outside directly in the ground, ensure the soil is weed free and moist before planting.

Growing Basil From Seedlings Or Seeds

The next step is to choose if you want to grow your basil from seeds or from a seedling. A seedling is a young plant that has already started growing and can be purchased from a local nursery or home improvement store. Growing basil from seed is not difficult, but if you are a novice gardener, starting with a seedling might be the better choice. If you are growing basil from seeds, you can first grow indoors in late winter, then transplant to your garden outside in the spring after the last frost.

Sowing And Planting The Basil From Seedlings Or Seeds

Pick a location that will receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day and is not in danger of temperatures below 48 degrees Fahrenheit. Basil does well in warm and dry weather.

If you are planting a basil seedling, your first step will be to dig a hole in your garden or pot for the seedling to be placed in. If you are using a pot, remember to place rocks at the bottom of the pot for adequate drainage and add enough potting soil to fill almost to the top of the pot. The hole should be large enough to fit the entire basil seedling soil base. You will now need to remove the seedling container. To do this, rotate the container between your hands back and forth until you can easily remove the container without damaging the roots. If your seedling container is organic and can be planted directly in the ground, then you will skip this step. Next, place the seedling in the ground and cover the top of the seedling soil base with an inch or two of potting soil. Press down firmly but lightly on the potting soil so the seedling is firmly in the ground. Finally, you can now water your new plant.

If you are growing basil from seed, note that transplanting basil grown from seed can be somewhat difficult as basil is delicate and fragile. To overcome this, try to place the seeds directly in the ground or pot where your basil will actually grow, therefore a transplant will not be necessary. Planting basil seeds is almost the same as planting seedlings. If growing in a pot, fill the pot almost to the top with potting soil. If growing directly in ground, ensure you ensure the soil is weed free and moist before planting. You should mix in at least six inches of potting soil into the surface, if possible. Sprinkle the basil seeds two inches apart on top of the potting soil and then cover with another inch of potting soil. Water immediately.

Watering The Basil Seedlings Or Seeds

When watering the plant, do not water the leaves but only the base of the plant as the leaves are easy to damage and do not need water themselves. Water as needed, everyday or every other day, to ensure the soil is moist but not damp.

More information about growing basil: http://www.howtogrowbasil.com

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