Ocimum basilicum
HEIGHT x WIDTH: 60cm x 30cm.
DISTANCE APART: 30cm
WHEN TO HARVEST: Sweet basil loves to be harvested so start using it as soon as it is large enough. The stems are delicious in casseroles and stir fries.
HOW MUCH WATER: Water every day unless it rains. Additional hand watering may be needed on very hot days.
WHERE TO PLANT: Full sun
CAN I GROW THEM IN A POT? Yes. Sweet basil grows really well in containers but they need to be at least 30cm deep because they produce quite a strong rootball. Fill the pot with premium potting mix and water the seedlings after they have been planted. Make sure that the container gets plenty of sunlight.
CAN I GROW THEM IN A GARDEN BED? Yes. The garden bed must get at least 6 hours of sun every day. Mix lots of compost or animal manure into the soil, plant the seedlings and water lightly. Spread some mulch such as pea straw or lucerne hay over the soil.
BEST BUDDY PLANTS: Basil is best buddies with tomato. They taste great together and they grow really well together as well. Basil is also great planted with chillies and capsicums.
OTHER ‘SMARTY PLANT’ TIPS:
- When you get your seedlings home, let them sit in a shallow tray of water which has had a tablespoon of seaweed solution added for an hour or two. This will get them ready for transplanting.
- After planting, water the seedlings with a very soft hose or a watering can several times a day until they settle in.
- Basil are quite heavy feeders so the more you harvest it, the more you should feed it. Choose a liquid fertiliser that is high in nitrogen.
There’s more information at the Smarty Plants website.