Though basil is often associated with Italian cooking, it is often found in many places around the world. There are various basil plant varieties, and the flavors can vary from spicy tropical flavors to sour, lemony flavors. In India, basil is often called Tulsi and is thought to be a holy plant. There, the holy basil or Tulsi is used in worshiping the Gods and Goddess. Besides using it for taste or aroma, basil is also employed as a herb for medicine. As an example, it has been used to help boost metabolic rate, minimize blood pressure levels and prevent tetanus.

Scientifically called Ocimum basilicum, the plant is largely cultivated in sunny and hot climate circumstances. Typically, basil leaves are green in color, but can vary from violet to brown in color depending on the range. Growing basil can be a worthwhile business since the great flavors and aromas it brings to food are in demand.

Before growing basil you should understand the most ideal conditions under which it grows. In picking a basil variety, one can visit the neighborhood gardening retailer, where a salesperson will be able to instruct you on which sort of basil is best for your specific environment and for your particular tastes. Basil is generally durable enough so that most kinds can be cultivated in most areas. Some of the most common kinds are Lemon, Genovese, Lime, Holy Basil and Red Rubin.

The initial and most significant requirement for growing basil is ensuring that your garden location drains properly. The soil could be compost or straightforward garden soil. Both can perform well as long as the drainage is good. Young basil plants which have already been started from seed in containers must be removed carefully so that the roots don’t get damaged. Dig a hole twice the root width and length and put the plant into the hole, fill with dirt and pat, gently soaking the spot with some water. Bear in mind the basil plant is actually a plant that needs warmth and if you live within a frost fall zone, make sure you cultivate basil only after the last frost.

In the situation where you are growing basil from seed, start them in pots indoors and bring the plants out right after the weather is warmer and when at least two sets of leaves are visible. After the plant begins to develop, take extreme care not to water the plant from the top as it can damage the tender leaves. Instead, water it at the bottom. With regards to pruning, as the plant starts to mature the basil herb will develop blossoms, however it will decrease the flavor of the leaves. Do not forget to remove all the flower buds which will keep the herb from becoming bitter.

To obtain the most out of one’s basil plant you are going to need to know several tips about trimming and harvesting. When the plant starts to mature it’s common to harvest the plant every two to three weeks. Just pinch the stem over a pair of leaves. It’s recommended to prune the plant often to help keep it smaller, so that it develops broader and fuller. By taking appropriate care by harvesting at the correct times it makes the herb develop a lot more leaves.

Basil is an excellent herb to develop for starters and generally any variety of basil that you choose to cultivate ought to succeed for you. Just bear in mind that it requires a lot of sun, frequent watering and regular pruning to get the best results. If you’d like to attempt growing two kinds, Sweet Basil and Genovese are recommended, as they are the most traditional for Italian cuisine.

Steve Adams is an avid gardener with several years of experience growing basil and other herbs. He uses his success at gardening to support his love of cooking. Visit his site to learn more about growing basil or to find out when you can grow basil outdoors.

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