Basil is a warm-weather, aromatic herb that is frequently used in many dishes, particularly italian dishes. They are versatile herbs and can also be made into the ever-popular pesto! Learn about different ways to raise it and take care of it in our articles below.
Watering basil plants correctly is key to successful growth. Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Once the soil is dry to the touch water thoroughly and deeply, helping to form strong, healthy root systems and robust plants. Overwatered plants wilt, drop leaves, and show darkened stems. Underwatered plants look dull and have dry, brittle leaves.
White spots on the leaves of your basil plant indicate a problem that needs attention. Random, irregular spots that don’t grow in size are generally insect damage. Uniform spots that enlarge are from fungal diseases such as powdery mildew. Treat fungal diseases with recommended fungicides and eliminate insects with mechanical or chemical treatments.
Basil is a fantastic herb to grow in your garden. A member of the mint family, this annual plant is easy to grow and helps improve the flavor of neighboring tomatoes. Some of the most commonly grown types are sweet, spicy globe, Thai, lemon, cinnamon, Genovese, and purple.
Basil is a fantastic garden plant, but in areas with harsh winters it can’t be grown outside year-round. You can grow basil indoors though in containers with potting soil or hydroponically. Artificial lights will help yields, and you can continuously close new plants via cuttings.