Windowsills are mostly used for growing DIY herb gardens, and if you haven’t tried it yet, this is your sign. Basil has several uses but is best known for its culinary uses. You can use it for garnishing your pizza, making pesto, adding flavor to your soups, or boosting the taste of other dishes. But its numerous other handy purposes often fly under the radar—like adding it to essential oils and steeping it for tea. Regardless of how you wish to use your basil, it is a fuss-free herb and can easily be grown, requires little care but offers plenty of benefits. Where should you plant basil? Basil can be an incredible addition to your container garden. If you are planting basil in a larger space or your garden, you may plant it among your tomatoes. When to plant? Basil plants can be easily sown from seeds, and they germinate quickly. If you are sowing seeds, plant them approximately six weeks before the last frost. Basil plants are extremely sensitive to the cold. Watch out for cooler temperatures and cover your plant if necessary. Soil requirements Basil grows best in moist, well-drained soil with a neutral pH. Add rich compost to the soil at the beginning of the season. Other than that, you do not require any other soil amendment for your plant to nurture and grow. Also, note that if the soil is too rich, basil tends to lose its flavor intensity. Everything to know about its propagation Apart from growing basil from seed, you may also use a cutting of basil that will easily root when placed in water. Pick a four-inch section of basil that is yet to flower and sow it. Roots will start forming in just about a week. Transplant the basil plant into a container or garden after a healthy root system becomes apparent. Water requirement Water your basil plant only when the soil is arid to the touch. Remember to water the plant only at its base and strictly avoid watering it all over its leaves. Options for companion planting You can plant basil among other vegetables and herbs in your garden with similar watering needs and lighting requirements, like parsley or tomatoes. Some experts even suggest that tomatoes taste better when it is grown with basil. You may also grow basil alongside lettuce, chamomile, oregano, and peppers. Growing basil is a piece of cake, and it is best to harvest it before the plant flowers.
