Growing basil: rules for growing in the open field and in the greenhouse

Our gardeners are used to growing dill and parsley on their plots, while basil appeared in Russia relatively recently. Not all gardeners know the rules for the care and cultivation of basil. This is what this article is about.

Growing basil: preparing the soil and seeds

If you know the correct agricultural techniques and take care of the basil with dignity, then you will get a dizzying harvest. The first thing we do is prepare the ground for planting this crop. It is best to arrange a bed for basil on the south side of the site, which is well protected from drafts. The soil should be abundantly fertilized with organic matter. I begin to prepare the soil in the fall, I dig the garden deeply and apply fertilizers. Basil seeds are usually purchased from a store or market. Before planting, I wash the seeds with manganese and dry them well.

Growing basil: growing methods

Basil is not difficult to grow, especially if you strictly adhere to the rules. It grows well both in the greenhouse and in the open field. You can plant basil with two methods, seedlings and seeds. The seedling method is that the sowing of the basil should be started as early as March. We sow basil seed in disposable glasses (it is more convenient to transplant the plant this way). Watering the seeds must be ensured regular, daylight hours must be at least 12 hours. In early May, seedlings can be safely planted in the ground. Sowing seed in the ground, in the garden, usually I spend in early May. I pre-soak the seeds for 12 hours in a growth simulator. I sow basil in small trenches and sprinkle it with earth. Before the emergence of the first shoots, it is advisable to cover the basil with a film, especially during cold snaps.

The subtleties of growing

Basil germination is pretty good. And with proper care, it grows and develops extremely quickly. The most important rule for caring for the basil that grows in the garden is watering. It is not necessary to overmoisten the soil, this culture does not tolerate stagnant water. The plant should be fed regularly with nitrogen fertilizers or organic matter. In the greenhouse, basil is grown in the same way as in the open field. But do not forget that the greenhouse must be regularly ventilated.

Agricultural engineering and pest prevention

The most common disease of this culture is black leg. Blackleg is a disease caused by a fungus. In order to prevent this disease from affecting your plants, treat the soil and seeds with manganese or a solution of copper sulfate. Make sure that there are no weeds in the garden. An excess of weeds can provoke the development of fungi and viruses. Mulch the soil with wood ash once a month.