Growing basil - preparation, sowing and care in detail

Basil is a unique herb that is commonly added as a spice to any dish. In this article, we will cover in detail the topic of growing basil: which variety is better to choose, where and how to grow basil, and what kind of care to provide it.

Many of us have a summer cottage and our own vegetable garden, where we plant mainly parsley and dill. However, I wondered: why not try growing oregano or basil? But my first attempts were in vain, and the basil did not grow properly. Then, gathering all my will into a fist, I researched all the forums and books, added my observations to everything ... And finally, I grow it in my beds! Now I have decided to share valuable advice with you!

Basil varieties for cultivation

There are a lot of varieties, there are almost 70 of them, and of course each has its own characteristics and zest. Which one is better to choose? We will talk about this now.

Sweet basil

This type is also called ordinary. The foliage has a greenish tint with a small fluff and light flowers. Possesses quite tart flavor notes. This type is better grown if you use it as an additional taste for marinating meat or appetizers.

The best varieties of the best:

Magical Michael.

· Mammoth.

Genovese Gigante.

Citric

Has a fairly soft bouquet. The name comes from the fact that there is a hint of citrus in the scent. When planting, a couple of bushes are enough, since it is very fertile.

The best varieties are considered to be the following:

Spark

· Lemon.

Violet

One of the most popular types of basil, otherwise it is called "regan" in the Caucasus. It has a deep purple color, which is present both on the leaves and on the flowers, but at the same time its flavoring bouquet is quite gentle, which allows it to be used as an additional flavoring note to salads and even compotes.

The most popular types:

Moorish

Table

Purple

Green

The leaves of this species are presented in a bright green color. The herb is very short and has the most delicate taste.

Recommended varieties:

Green cornflower

Tonus

Black

No, no, it was named not because it has a black color, but rather a dark purple, but because its stems emit such a strong aroma that it can dry this plant and then use it as a seasoning.

Recommended varieties:

Baku

Ruby of Cairo

Cinnamon

This view attracts attention by the fact that the foliage is green, and the flowers themselves are purple. And the smell is similar to cinnamon, which comes just from the flowers.

There are quite a few varieties of this species, and it is customary to distinguish a mixed species, for example, brown-red.

Red

The name of the species, which cannot be associated with color, since the leaves are light purple in color. Often he is planted in pots at home because of his small bushes.

Popular varieties:

· An oriental guest.

· Generous.

Remember that seeds can be stored for 5 years in a dark and ventilated area.

Basil growing conditions

Preparing for planting

Find open and sunny places

· The soil is sandy, that is, as loose as possible. We must not allow the earth to be very dense, or we dig everything up by the fall, additionally weed it in the spring and add splendor to the earth.

· We use fertilizers based on four kilograms of compost in combination with twenty grams of superphosphate and potassium salt per square meter.

Growing basil - which crops can be neighbors?

Basil is generally believed to give off a scent that repels aphids or spider mites, thereby protecting our beds, such as cucumber beds. But next to tall crops, the cultivation of basil is strictly prohibited, it simply will not grow in the shade.

Be careful that you cannot re-plant the plant in one place, otherwise the harvest will be poor. We return to its place only after 10 years. We choose the one where you planted the least: potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes or legumes.

Growing basil outdoors

Sowing

It is no secret that this method will save you a lot of time, but it is worth paying attention to the entire sowing process. For this you need:

We cover the bed with polyethylene three days before planting so that it warms up thoroughly.

· For two hours we disinfect the seeds in a potassium permanganate solution to protect them from fungi.

· Pour over the breast with extremely warm water.

We make 1 cm furrows.

· Spread the seeds at the rate of 1 seed for every 25 cm of the furrow, you can make it denser, but then you have to row them.

· Sprinkle a little with soil and cover back with foil. Thus, creating a greenhouse effect until the first shoots appear. Then leave it only overnight.

Basil cultivation begins in May, provided that you are in the southern part of Russia, if you do not live there, wait until mid-June.

Or maybe seedlings?

This method is considered more reliable, but also more labor intensive. In this case, the seeds are prepared and planted in early April.

· Ground. You can buy it, but it is better to prepare it yourself from 1/7 of the sand, 4/7 - compost, 2/7 - humus. Water abundantly before sowing.

· As a container, you can consider any box or it is better to buy special cassettes.

· Sowing is carried out at 1 cm, and the width between the rows is 5 cm. Cover the seedlings with foil and place in a sunny place. Expect seedlings within 1-2 weeks.

· As the first descents appear, the film must be removed and lightly watered. For large seedlings, it is necessary to pinch over 7-8 leaves in order to grow to the side.

· We transplant closer to June. Before disembarking, they must be "walked": first for an hour, and then for an increase of up to a day. Otherwise, they will not be able to adapt to new conditions instantly.

The two best ways to plant basil seedlings

Features of growing basil and care

· Pinch off the tops and flowers, everything should go to the leaves.

· Loosen the ground before each watering.

· In every month, be sure to use top dressing. The first feeding is possible 2 weeks after planting. It is better to use "Nitrofoska" for 12 liters, we take 2 spoons.

How do we water basil?

Remember! Watering should be frequent, but not plentiful. You need to water so that the beds are moist, but puddles do not appear. If we do not fill - the leaves will curl from lack of water, overflow - the roots will rot. To begin with, defend the water throughout the day and warm it up in the sun, because basil loves everything warmer.

Disease protection

This type of plant is considered not painful, but growing basil under different climatic conditions can face difficulties:

· The appearance of a black leg. This is possible with frequent and abundant watering of the plant. Treatment is carried out with a solution of potassium permanganate, as well as a fungicide. And the diseased sprouts still have to be uprooted.

· Occurrence of gray rot. It can be picked up by both greenhouse plants and those that are in the open field. It manifests itself in the form of gray-brown spots and becomes covered with gray fluff over time.

· Fusarium is a disease that dries out the stem of a plant. Treatment is carried out with onion peel - 4 glasses of water for 1 glass of peel.

In order to prevent the appearance of various diseases, use ash. It is perfect for any kind of basil, but you don't need too much of it. Just a little sprinkle on the breast once a week.

One thing you need to be careful about, because basil has enemies that can damage your entire crop, although they are afraid of the smell of the plant itself:

· Aphids like to sit on the leaves and suck the juice out of them, thereby the leaves curl up into a tube. We fight it with decoctions of various herbs. It may

be wormwood, and garlic, onions, and even dandelion. You can also use tar soap: we take 100 grams for 10 liters. From purchased funds, "Karbofos" or "Actellik" are better suited.

· Another harmful creature is the field bug. Also hunt for the juice of the leaves, but at the same time they are already covered with brown spots. You can use the same remedies against it as against aphids.

Growing basil - photo