introduction

How to care for basil

When caring for a basil plant, remember that it lives for only one year and dies after completing its growth cycle.

Basil usually does not do well in the fall because it gets colder and the days get shorter. However, it is not difficult to grow.

If you take good care of it, you can dry basil, freeze it, or give it away to others. If you want to grow a lot of basil, you should follow the care tips below.

Soil

Basil can grow in a variety of soil types as long as the soil is kept moist. If the soil is really poor, you can improve it by adding a little fertilizer to the irrigation water. I will explain how to do this later.

regular watering

fertilize lightly

Basil is a vigorous plant that requires almost no fertilizer. Excess fertilizer would affect the flavor. If you feel you need to add feed, only a light application of a liquid fertilizer twice a season is necessary.

If you grow your basil in a pot, the Alfabrega will only need a very light liquid fertilizer application every 3 or 4 weeks. This is enough to balance out the nutrients that are lost with frequent watering.

do you have to water basil every day?

Basil likes a moist substrate and requires moderate watering. Water deeply once a week for deep root development.

The main objective is to prevent the soil from drying out, so do not hesitate to give it a little extra water if you see that this can happen.

  Basil grown in containers will need more frequent watering. The best time of day to water the Alfabrega is early in the morning.

Pinch off the leaves at the ends

Pinch off the leaves at the tips of your basil as soon as the plant has two pairs of true leaves. This will promote denser and bushier growth of the plant.

Accompany the plant with complementary plants

Complementary plants are plant species that benefit each other when grown together.

  Basil plants in particular can benefit from this advantageous technique, as it is generally agreed that the flavor of both tomatoes and basil is improved when grown together. The Alfabrega plant is useful.

Prevent blooms from forming

When a basil plant begins to flower and form seeds, its leaves lose their odor and taste bitter. Watch your plant carefully to prevent this from happening.

Basil grows quickly and gets a boost during very hot summer days. You can control this by keeping the soil moist and providing some shade during the hottest hours of the day.

If you notice that a stem is about to bloom, pinch it below the basil flower to prevent it from blooming.

How to care for basil in the garden

When a basil plant begins to flower and form seeds, its leaves lose their odor and taste bitter. Watch your plant carefully to prevent this from happening.

Basil’s growth speeds up considerably and experiences a growth spurt during the hot summer days.

 By maintaining soil moisture and providing shade during the hottest part of the day, you can have some influence.

If you plant it in a container, make sure it is at least 20 inches deep to allow the roots to grow.Water and spread a layer of mulch to retain moisture and prevent the growth of weeds.

How to care for basil in pots

Basil is a very suitable plant for growing in pots and is ideal for cooking as an aromatic culinary herb. For basil to thrive and be healthy, two things are essential:

moisture and sun. Therefore, it is important that you find a very sunny location for your basil pot and that you provide the necessary watering to keep the substrate moist but not flooded.

Plant the basil in a pot with drainage holes. It is important to allow excess water from water to drain away so that the soil does not become soggy.

To determine if it needs watering, just touch the substrate with your finger to check if it is wet. If you notice when digging that it has dried out, it’s time to water the plant again.

Besides sun and water, it is also interesting to keep the plant aerated. This means that you do not put it in a corner where the air can hardly circulate.

Put it in a place where the air circulates. Remember that this is an outdoor plant that can be grown indoors, but the conditions it would find outdoors must be simulated as much as possible.

How To Harvest Basil

If you already know how to care for your plant, now you want to know the best way to harvest it. 

Basil is not harvested all at once and at a specific time, but usually, some branches or leaves are cut off when they are needed.

It is good for the plant: it is advisable to regularly cut off some superfluous stems to maintain their round shape.

 This will also prevent the plant from flowering and the leaves from taking on a bad taste.

Clean, sharp scissors will allow you to make a proper cut that will allow the stem to continue growing and produce more fresh basil.

How to care for basil in winter

Basil is a very cold-sensitive plant that cannot withstand temperature drops in the fall. It stays green and healthy only in areas where it is really warm in the fall.

In Spain, this could perhaps be the case in the Mediterranean region and the south. 

However, as soon as the cold and short days of winter come, the plant dies.

This means that you can not do anything with it in the winter. There is nothing left but to wait for the next season and start over with the seeds or buy a new plant as soon as it is offered for sale in the nurseries.

Plagues and diseases

Basil is not a plant that is susceptible to disease or pests, but you may eventually find that your plant is wilting.

 If this happens, check the soil first to make sure it is moist.  The soil should be moist, but not wet.

If you notice the plant deteriorating in the middle hours of the day, it’s most likely due to the high temperatures. Place your plant in a lightly shaded area.

Basil Benefits

Basil is a commonly used spice in cooking, but it also has health benefits that we can obtain by consuming it in various forms such as tea, oil, or supplements. 

Basil contains natural substances called essential oils that give it antioxidant, antiseptic, and antibiotic properties.

The infusion of its fresh leaves is used to relieve stomach and digestive problems such as dyspepsia, nausea, flatulence, or heaviness in the stomach. It is also useful for stimulating appetite and aiding digestion.

The same infusion can be used as a mouthwash to relieve oral ailments such as mouth ulcers, gingivitis, and other mouth infections.

The antibiotic effect is very helpful for insect bites, rashes, and other minor skin injuries.

 For these situations, it is a good idea to always have a vial of basil essential oil nearby and apply a few drops to the affected skin.

Basil also contains vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals such as potassium, manganese, iron, and calcium, which boost the immune system, reduce stress and promote sleep.

There are basil-based supplements in the form of drops, tablets, or capsules that contain all the good properties of this plant.

These indications are only informative, and it is advisable to consult a doctor for any health problem before trying a medicinal preparation, even if it is a natural one. 

The medical doctor will tell us what we can and cannot take to treat a disease.

Conclusion

This will promote denser and bushier growth of the plant. Accompany the plant with complementary plants

Complementary plants are plant species that benefit each other when grown together.

 You can control this by keeping the soil moist and providing some shade during the hottest hours of the day.

If you notice that a stem is about to bloom, pinch it below the basil flower to prevent it from blooming.

How to care for basil in the garden When a basil plant begins to flower and form seeds, its leaves lose their odor and taste bitter.