Plant ID card |
|
|---|---|
Botanical name |
Ocimum basilicum. |
Common name |
Basil, cobbler orange or herb for sauces. |
Family |
Lamiaceae. |
Origin |
Asia (India). |
Dimensions |
30 to 50 cm. |
Foliage |
Oval, rounded leaves, measuring approximately 3 cm. |
Bloom |
In August, small white flowers appear in clusters, which are of no particular interest. |
Exposure |
Sunny, sheltered from the wind. |
Ground |
Light, well drained. |
Rusticity |
Non-hardy, 5°C. |
Very easy to grow, basil is the essential aromatic plant, which transports, in a simple scent, to the heart of Italian or Provençal cuisine.
By following a few simple tips, you will soon be able to enjoy the chopped leaves of your own harvest.
Where and when to put basil in the garden?
Look for a place in your garden that
is bathed in light and warmth
from the sun's rays all day long.
A location sheltered from wind and cold, which basil greatly fears.
You found it ?
If the time is right, that is to say after the last frosts, in the heart of spring in the South of France and in May-June for other regions, take action!
Also read: The top 20 aromatic herbs to grow at home
How to plant basil in the ground?
Basil thrives in
light soil.
If you think that your soil is too heavy, do not hesitate to place small stones at the bottom of your planting hole to ensure better drainage.
If there is something that basil hates, it is when its roots stagnate in damp and too cold soil.
Enrich the soil with a little compost.
Space the basil plants purchased in pots 25 to 30 cm apart
.
If you also plan to grow tomatoes, do not hesitate to integrate them, between each basil plant, to scare away certain pests.
Water.
How to sow basil?
If you already have a basil plant, consider gathering seeds after flowering.
Keep them in a small envelope (note what they are!) and sow them in the ground,
from April in the South and from May elsewhere.
A minimum temperature of around 20°C, protected from drafts, is in fact essential.
Basil seeds are also on sale at all garden centers.
Adding potting soil
to the original soil is often a plus and ensuring good humidity is maintained during the weeks following sowing is important.
When the plants have produced 2 or 3 leaves, tear off the less vigorous ones to thin them out.
If you already have a basil plant, consider gathering seeds after flowering so you can sow them in April-May.
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No use without permission.
How to maintain basil in the garden?
How do you know if basil is thirsty?
Properly managing basil watering is an important challenge that must be met successfully.
Basil is a plant that requires a lot of water, but in a measured way.
Water regularly, 2 to 3 times a week.
How to make basil more productive?
Cut the flowering ends of the stems with your thumb and index finger to allow the leaves to benefit from all the energy necessary for their development.
This operation is also called “pinching”.
Does basil grow back from year to year?
From June to October, new leaves appear over the weeks and as you pick them.
Does autumn then mark the end of your basil?
The latter will grow back the following year if you keep it in a pot during the winter and take good care of it when it grows back.
Always expose it to light, without direct sun and remember to water it well.
How to keep a basil plant in the ground throughout the winter?
Basil is not a hardy plant: it
fears frost
.
In regions with a mild or warm climate, it is often possible to preserve the planting in open ground until spring.
But elsewhere, it is better to plant basil in a greenhouse or consider moving it to a more protected location during the cold season.
So, from the fall, place your plant in a pot, inside your home.
How to plant basil in a pot?
Basil lives very well
in pots,
like many aromatic plants.
Buy a pot 14/15 cm in diameter and 20 cm high for one or two plants of basil.
Place clay balls or some gravel at the bottom of the pierced pot, fill with potting soil and homemade compost.
Water by placing the water directly in the cup.
And place the pot in a sunny location.
For planting in a pot, plan for a pot 14/15 cm in diameter and 20 cm in height for one or two basil plants.
Copyright (c) 2022 Olya Komarova/Shutterstock.
No use without permission.
What are the main varieties of basil?
There are more than 150 varieties of basil, each with their own taste characteristics and uses in cooking.
For example :
Large green basil
is the most classic and fragrant, recognizable by its large rounded green leaves;
Lemon basil
offers a little vitamin taste full of pep, perfect with fish;
Thai basil,
with a flavor close to that of tarragon or anise, enhanced with a touch of pepper, is often used in small Thai and Vietnamese dishes;
Holy basil
offers
minty flavors that go well with sautéed chicken;
As for
Marseille basil
, the most powerful of all, it is divine when mixed with olive oil, pine nuts, parmesan and garlic, to create a pesto that will have you addicted.
Also read: A clever idea for keeping your aromatic herbs longer
What are the benefits of basil?
Basil has
soothing properties:
it promotes calm and mental well-being, reduces the effects of stress... And can help people who suffer from sleep disorders.
This plant also offers antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and is rich in antioxidants.
To benefit from the benefits of basil, it is possible to consume it fresh but also in infusions or in the form of essential oil.