Growing basil from seed
Growing basil plants, making room, and surrounding beauty is a hobby of many people. Basil is a medicinal herb which gives a lot of oxygen and used widely for medicinal purpose. It is also known as the king of herbs.
Growing basil plants is an easy task. Gardening with family gives enjoyment and also makes a healthy environment.
In the list of plant gardening, the Basil plant is also one of them. Most people do not have an idea of how to grow and care for basil plants. Plants die due to over water, direct sunlight over a long period.
There are different reasons that plants die. Here I have made a stepwise process to grow basil from seed. This process is from my own and my family experience in growing basil plants.
Basil Plants
Basil plant is also known as "Tulsi" which has high importance in the Hindu religion. From the ancient period, Basil plants(Tulsi) is widely used plants for medicinal purpose. Holy basil is used in eastern regions like India, Nepal, Bhutan.
However, people do not know the value and benefit of Tulsi plants. Tulsi plant is originally from India, Nepal.
We will also discuss the benefit of Basil plants further.
Types of basil
Did you know there are different types or varieties of basil plants in which you can grow easily in your garden?
Here I have listed some of the popular types of basil plants.
1.Lemon Basil
Lemon basil(Lime basil) is sour in taste. If you love sour taste then you can grow lemon basil at your home.
You can easily grow lemon basil at the container or in the garden. It can reach up to 20 inches in height. You can have it mixed in tea, cocktail, or simply lemon basil.
2.Sweet Basil
Sweet basil is widely found basil in the world. Basil leaves is used as medicinal purpose. Sweet basil grows in a bush of leaves which is good for consumption.
Leaves of sweet basil are large in size. You can grow in your garden which will give you a large products in a small space.
3.Thai basil
Thai basil is a special ingredient while you are making Vietnamese soup. You can also add Thai basil in meat, noodles, and vegetables.
Thai basil is good in taste and gives quality flavor. It has green leaves with purple steam and purple flowers.
4.Greek Basil
Greek basil grows in around small bush. It grows like sweet basil. Greek basil is short in height with ornamental purpose.
Greek basil can also be used as a flavor in tea and vegetables. It is good in taste.
These are the types of basil plants that are mostly grown in the world.
Steps to grow basil from seed
Growing basil from seed is an easy task if you know the way to grow and care of basil plants.
There are different varieties of basil plants available in the markets. But choosing the right quality of seeds makes your garden beautiful as well as fulfills your desire.
Many people do not have the proper idea to grow and care of basil plants. Here I have listed steps to grow basil plants from my family experience in growing basil plants.
1.Quality seed
Quality seed means a quality products. There are varieties of basil plants in the market. If you want a good quality of seed then you can choose lemon basil, sweet basil, Greek basil, Thai basil, Genovese basil.
These varieties of basil plants are described in the above types of basil plant sections. You can read it in detail and choose your favorite quality seeds.
2.Location
Basil plant is a heat lover and requires more sunlight than other normal plants. If you choose a partial shade place with proper sunlight area then it helps to grow basil plants easier.
If you want to grow basil plant indoor place near the area of the window. You can grow in the garden on a large scale as per your demand.
3.Soil
The soil should be moist and consist of compost manure. Normal soil is fine for some varieties of plants. But using compost manure is good to grow basil plants.
You can also buy quality soil from the market or from near your nursery.
4. Sow basil seeds
Make soil fertile to grow basil plants. It is better to grow in the late spring season. You can sow basil seed in normal condition but protect from excessive temperature and heat.
Make a hole of half-inch and sow basil seeds and leave it for germination.
If basil seed starts to germinate then take out in the partial sunny area to grow. If you are growing indoor then take out in the sunny areas at day time and take back at night.
You need to follow these steps for two weeks. After then you can water them.
5.Water
Water is essential for every living being. Plants use water for photosynthesis. The soil must be well drainage which can absorb and remove unwanted water from the soil.
You can water in basil plant when the soil starts to dry. Otherwise, it is not much necessary to put water in plants.
6.Fertilizer
Fertilizer in plants is optional. If plants get affected by disease then you need to use chemical fertilizer otherwise you can also use organic fertilizer.
Fertilizer is mainly used to increase the production rate. Fortunately, there is no such disease that can destroy whole basil plants.
Snail, slug eat and destroy basil plants. So, in this case, you can use chemical fertilizer.
Basil plants mostly die due to excessive sunlight, lack of sunlight, excess water consumption, etc.
7.Basil Harvesting
You can simply pick up the leaves of plants when it is fully developed. Basil leaves are time and again in the same season but dies out in next season.
You can pick up fresh basil leaves at home. Wash with water when you want to consume it. Basil leaves will be fresh till three days of basil extract.
In this way, you can simply grow and take care of basil plants.
Benefits of Basil Leaves
Basil plants and leaves are used for a long period of time. It has health benefits well. It is a religious plant of Hindu.
It provide more amount of oxygen than other herbs. So, it is also considered as the king of herbs.
Here I have listed some of the benefits of basil leaves. They are:
1. It helps to relieve stress and depression.
2. It improves the metabolic activities as they enhance the digestion process.
3. It fights against cancer.
4. It has an anti-oxidant and anti-aging compound which makes you young.
5. It reduces fever and make the body relax.
6. It helps to make especially women bone strong.
These are the benefit of Basil leaves you can have when you start to growing basil from seeds.
FAQ
1. How long do basil plants take to grow?
-Basil plants start to germinate 8 to 10 days after sowing. The basil plants will be ready to harvest within 3-4 weeks.
2. How to keep basil alive indoors?
-Basil plants just required enough water, sunlight and moist soil. If you can provide a proper environment to survive for basil plants. You can easily keep basil alive indoors.
3. How to cut basil leaves?
-Basil leaves are easy to cut, You can simply use your hand to pick up the top of leaves. Do not cut the base of steam while cutting leaves.
Summary
Here you have learn basic to advanced knowledge of growing basil from seed. Everything comes from experience.
If you follow proper guide to grow basil plants then you will be successful in growing basil plants. It is easy to grow and make a beautiful healthy garden.
If you have any queries then comment down below.
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