Growing basil tips

Planting the seeds in early summer is a good time as basil does not like frost.

Optimum planting depth is 3mm deep.

Spacing between plants should be 20cm (8in) apart.

Rows of 20cm (8in) apart.

Germination for plants to appear is 10 to 12 days.

Maturity 6 weeks.

Keep soil moist.

If growing indoors, use a light rich soil and do not overwater due to the danger of damping-off disease.

When plants are establishing, nip out tops to encourage plants to branch and remain compact. This also prevents them from flowering which exhausts them unnecessarily.

Plants may be dug up in late summer, put in pots, trimmed and placed in a frost free greenhouse or sunny window. This will enable you to enjoy fresh basil all year round.

Basil is difficult to dry successfully due to its moist, succulent leaves. Cut the stems in late summer just before flowering and lay them on nylon netting in a dark, slightly warm airy place. Do not hang in bunches as this delays the drying process.

Botanical names
Ocimum basilicum Sweet basil
Ocimum minimum Bush basil

There are two kinds of basil plants, sweet and bush.
The difference between the two are that sweet basil has larger, shiny, dark green leaves with a growth hight of 30 – 60cm. (1 – 2ft). It has white flowers. In accord with bush basil's name, it is of bushy habit growing only to 15cm (6in) high. It has lots of small pale green leaves and tiny white flowers. Both types have equally good flavor. They are both treated as annuals in temperature climates.

Learn more about this popular indoor herb garden - click here.

Link for Australian residents www.aerogarden.com.au

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