Basil
Ocimum basilicum
Basil is a green herb that is used as a flavorful addition to many recipes. On this page is information on how to plant, grow, harvest and use basil on your own!
Seed Harvesting Code: Green (easy)
Growing Code: White (easy)
Domestication History:
Basil is native to Asia and now is found growing wild in tropical regions. Basil has been used for different reasons over the years such is preservation and embalming in Egypt or as a gift to a loved one in Portugal. Today, basil is used in different meals and can be cooked or left fresh.
Health Benefits of Basil:
Provides vitamin K
Reduces stress
Repel insects
reduces blood pressure for people with hypertension
How to prepare basil to eat:
Basil is a simple herb that can be used in many ways.
The most important thing to remember is that basil does not do well in cold temperatures so do not put the leaves into something that is refrigerated right away.
Here are some ideas on how to prepare the basil:
Use as whole leaves on top of a dish
Blend leaves into a sauce (pesto)
Puree into a dish
Add as a garnish
For ideas on recipes using basil, check out this website:
https://www.acouplecooks.com/best-basil-recipes/
Planting Instructions:
Basil plants do not respond well to very cold temperatures and can not survive under 42 °F.
Basil plants can be grown inside in a hydroponic growing system if temperatures get too low.
Basil seeds need to be planted about 12 to 18 inches apart and 0.5 inches deep.
If planting in a container, the seeds need to be planted in a 12 inch container.
Water after planting, enough for the soil to absorb the water.
If the plants do not start growing, fertilizer can be added to the soil.
Make sure that the seeds are planted in an area where they will get sun for about 6 to 8 hours each day.
Growth Information:
Germination takes about 7 to 14 days after planting.
Basil plants grow to be about 4 to 6 inches tall.
Basil seeds take about 65 days to harvest.
In mid summer the plants will grow flowers.
These flowers need to be picked off because they will add an unpleasant flavor to the basil.
Harvesting Seeds:
Each flower head will contain seeds.
You can allow the flower heads to dry out for a few days in a warm environment and then shake them to get all of the tiny black seeds out.
If you are planning to eat the basil plant, you will just want to take the leaves.
Once the plant reaches about 6 inches high, you can begin harvesting the leaves by either pinching the individual leaves or snipping the stems.
Basil can be stored for a few days at room temperature in water.
Do not put the leaves in the refrigerator.
