When summer arrives, basil takes centre stage in the garden and kitchen. This aromatic herb pairs perfectly with homegrown tomatoes and a drizzle of fresh olive oil, and makes a delicious pesto the whole family can enjoy! It’s so easy to grow and care for, and just a few plants can transform your garden or balcony into a vibrant, fragrant haven. Also, basil flowers attract beneficial insects like bees and ladybirds, which help pollinate your garden. Spring is the time to get some plants started, so here’s your guide to growing the best basil ever!
Position
Basil is a sun-lover at heart! It thrives in full sun but can also handle a bit of shade. Just make sure it’s in well-drained soil – boggy areas are a no-go.
Preparing Soil
Give basil a boost by prepping your soil with compost or well-rotted manure. This enriches the soil and improves drainage. Top it off with sugar cane mulch to keep things moist and weed-free.
Growing in Containers
Short on space? Basil is perfect for pots! Choose a 30cm container and fill it with a mix of two parts Pot Perfection and one part compost. It’s the ideal setup for happy basil roots.
Sowing and Planting
You can grab seedlings or established pots of basil at your garden centre throughout spring. Growing from seed is easy, too – fill a small pot with premium potting mix, sprinkle a few seed on the surface and cover with another 5mm of mix. Keep moist and the seedlings will pop up in a week or so. Basil also propagates from cuttings struck in a jar of water or moist potting mix. In warm areas, plant your established plants or seedlings directly outside; in colder regions, raise your plants indoors on a sunny windowsill and move them outside after the risk of frost has passed.
Watering and Fertilising
Basil hates to dry out, so water regularly, especially in hot weather. Containers need extra attention since they dry out quicker. Feed with a sprinkle of blood and bone or pelletised poultry manure monthly to keep basil lush and flavourful.
Harvesting
Pick basil often to encourage fresh tender growth. Trim the tips of young stems to keep your plant bushy and productive.
Pruning
Regular light pruning prevents basil from flowering and setting seeds too early and ensures that the plant continues producing new, tender leaves. For older plants, a spring cut-back will refresh them and boost new growth.
Popular Basil Varieties
- Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum): The classic basil with large, soft green leaves and a distinctive aroma. Ideal for pesto and salads.
- Greek basil (O. obovatum): A perennial bush in warmer climates with a stronger flavour than sweet basil and an aniseed cinnamon undertone.
- Lemon basil (O. x citriodorum): Narrow leaves with a refreshing lemon flavour, perfect for teas, fish, and chicken dishes.
- Thai basil (O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora): Deep green leaves with an anise flavour, popular in Asian cuisine.
- Dark opal basil (O. basilicum var. purpurascens): Striking dark purple leaves with a classic basil taste, great for adding colour to dishes.
Dealing with Disease
In some areas, a recently introduced disease called basil downy mildew can make it challenging to grow sweet basil and other varieties, particularly in humid conditions. It causes the leaves to turn black and drop off. If you have had this trouble before, try the Prospera® F1 variety. This new hybrid is especially bred to resist this disease, so you can enjoy fresh basil all summer long without the mildew worries.
