Sweet Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow. It is tough and fast growing as well as a tasty topping for pizza and pasta. Three elements are important in starting and growing basil — temperature, water and light. Get them right and you will have the best chance for a bountiful harvest.
While you should follow the instructions that come with your product, here are some general directions and tips for Sweet Basil.
Planting Depth: 1/4" (6mm)
Germination Temperature: 70-80°F/21-26 ̊C (Basil Needs Heat to Grow!)
Germination Time: 7 - 14 Days
Time to Harvest: 60 - 90 days
How to Grow
1) Chose suitable environment. Sweet Basil require air temperatures between 65-75 F to sprout. Consistent warm temperatures with good air circulation and bright, indirect sunlight is best.
2) Moisten potting mix or coco fibre wafer.
3) Place seeds on top of surface of potting mix or wafer surface. Leave a little space between seeds. (Tip: save some of the seeds in the seed packet to use again if your first try fails). Cover the seeds lightly with potting mix or coco fibre.
4) Water as directed naming sure that the potting mix or coco fibre wafer do not dry out. Check moisture daily. Tip: sometime placing plastic wrap lightly over the pot will help retain moisture.
5) Seeds will begin to swell as they absorbed water. The will appear to covered with a clear jelly. This is an indication that they are nearing germination (sprouting).
6) Once the seeds begin to sprout, remove plastic wrap if in place, place plant in well-ventilated spot with a moderate amount of direct sunlight (6 hours per day. Tip: sunlight is necessary for plant growth. The only source of artifical light that will work is a grow or plant light.
7) Continue to monitor moisture daily. Water as needed.
8) Transplant to larger container or the garden to achieve full growth and best harvest. Make sure new container is at least 6” deep with rich and well-drained potting mix or soil. Plants yield the best flavor if grown quickly. So keep well-watered and fertilized as needed, then start harvesting as early as three weeks after seedlings appear. Do not set or plant outside until 4 weeks after the last frost when soil temperature is consistently above 60°F/16°C). Frost or cold weather will kill basil.
9) Regular harvest will encourage more growth. When plants is 6 to 8 inches tall, pinch back the plant. Also pinch off center shoots to prevent plant from flowering. If flowers do appear, then just cut them off.
10) Start harvesting leaves when plants are 6-8 inches tall.
PLEASE NOTE
Plant growth and results vary depending on care, pruning and environment such as water, temperature, time of year and climate. Please monitor water, temperature and light with care.
Growth requires sunlight or a grow light. Other light sources will not work.
While this kit was designed and assembled for growing success, not all seeds provided will germinate. This is part of nature! So when planting your seeds, you may wish to save some of the seeds to try again if germination fails.
Check online for more information on growing Basil in your climate/area.