Basil

• Germination Days: 7-14
• Hardiness Zones:Annual
• Planting Depth:1/4”
• Plant Spacing:12”
• Growth Habit:Upright
• Soil Preference:Rich and well-drained, 5.5 – 7.5 pH
• Temp Preference:Warmer
• Light Preference:Full sun
• Days to Maturity:70 

Planting

• Kickstart the seeds indoors 6 weeks before the last spring frost.
• Basil prefers warmer temperature, wait until the soil has warmed to at least 50°F (daytime and night time temperatures). Basil grows best when the outside temperature reaches 70⁰F.
• Basil prefers full sun and grows best in a location that gets 6 to 8 hrs of full sun daily. They do well in partial sun locations as well.
• Soil should be moist but well-drained. Basil grows well in containers or raised beds, as these allow for better drainage.
• Companion plants: Tomatoes make great companion for basil plants in the garden.

Care

• Basil plants like moisture, mulching helps cool the plant (during host days) and ensure even moisture.
• Pruning helps branches multiply and more harvest. Simply trim the tips after every six sets of leaves
• Every time a branch has six to eight leaves, repeat pruning the branches back to their first set of leaves.

Harvest

• Start picking the leaves of basil when the plants reach about 8 inches tall.
• Leaves are most flavorful before sunrise, harvest early morning for the best taste. Pick the leaves regularly to encourage growth throughout the summer.

Pests / Diseases

Root Knot Nematode: Galls on roots which can be up to 1 inch in diameter but are usually smaller; reduction in plant vigor; yellowing plants which wilt in hot weather.

Control / Prevention: Plant resistant varieties if nematodes are known to be present in the soil; check roots of plants mid-season or sooner if symptoms indicate nematodes; solarizing soil can reduce nematode populations in the soil.

Aphids" Yellow leaves; distorted flowers/fruit; sticky “honeydew”; sooty, black mold that forms on honeydew; large presence of ants on plants.

Control / Prevention: Grow companion plants to either repel aphids away; knock aphids off plants with water spray, apply insecticidal soap; put banana or orange peel around plants; wipe leaves with a 1-2% solution of liquid dish soap, water every 2-3 days for 2 weeks. 

Leafminers: Thin, white, winding trails on leaves; heavy mining can result in white blotches on leaves and leaves dropping from the plant prematurely; early infestation can cause fruit yield to be reduced.

Control / Prevention: Check transplants for signs of leafminer damage prior to planting; remove plants from soil immediately after harvest; only use insecticides when leafminer damage has been identified as unnecessary spraying will also reduce populations of their natural enemies.

Flea Beetles: Numerous tiny holes in leaves.

Control / Prevention: Use row covers to physically block flea beetles; mulch heavily; add native plants to attract beneficial insect predators.