How to Grow Basil

Having your own basil plant at home is a convenience because it can be used for several recipes.

Steps to Grow Basil

1. Choos a good place for planting. Select an area in your property that gets much sunlight. The soil in the area should be well-drained.
2. Prepare the soil. Dig a layer of compost, around one to two inches, into the soil. Let the soil and compost settle in the area.
3. Sow the basil seeds. Do this when the cold season has passed and the temperature of the soil is around 60° Fahrenheit. Spread the basil seeds on the soil. Using the palm of your hand, gently press the seeds to the soil. Cover the seeds with ¼ inch of fine soil.Make sure the soil is always evenly moist. This is important especially when the basil seeds are about to germinate. Avoid providing too much water as this could be harmful to the seedlings.
4. After a number of weeks, you will notice that the seedlings will have 2 to 3 sets of leaves. Carefully thin them to make them 8 to 10 inches apart from each other.
5. When the basil plants have reached a height of around 6 inches, gently pinch off the tips just above a set of leaves. This will encourage bushier growth.
6. Place a sparing amount of liquid fish emulsion as fertilizer every two weeks. Do this on the first two months after planting. After the said time, fertilize every month until the growing season has ended. As the plants sprout, you can pick fresh basil leaves whenever you need them for your recipe.