Rules for planting and caring for basil in the open field

For a plant like basil, planting and care in the open field is not difficult. This plant is not only a popular spice, but also a source of vitamins and minerals. Basil requires careful soil selection and daily maintenance, but is resistant to many phyto-diseases and pests.

Basil planting rules

Growing basilica and care in the open field is possible only if the composition of the soil is suitable for its requirements. He prefers well-heated areas that are protected from wind and cold. In terms of composition, the most optimal will be sandy loam soil, to which organic fertilizers must be added.

Basil takes root well in beds where legumes, cucumbers, tomatoes, or potatoes... After these crops, a large amount of fertilizer remains in the soil, which is also used by basil.

Planting seedlings

Growing basil seedlings is the most common method, it allows you to predict the amount of harvest in advance and preserve the maximum number of plants. The survival rate with this planting method is much higher than with seed planting.

Seedling preparation begins early, in March or early April. The soil for its cultivation is made at home. The soil should be loose and contain nutrients. The following composition is considered optimal:

• 2 parts organic fertilizers - compost or humus;
• 4 parts peat or soil, which can be purchased at the store;
• 1 part river sand.

The resulting composition is sieved, loosened and moistened. The seeds are placed on the surface of the soil and sprinkled on top with a layer of earth of 1 cm. The container must be covered with a film, left in the sun and wait for the shoots to appear.

The next stage is picking seedlings, that is, transplanting them into larger containers. You need to know how to dive a basil so that it tolerates the procedure well and continues to grow. The best time to transplant is the appearance of the first two leaves. A new soil of the same composition is prepared, you can additionally add wood ash to it. Each pot is filled with earth and compacted, leaving a hole in the middle for planting a plant.

There is no exact time when to plant basil seedlings outdoors, it depends on the air temperature and weather conditions.

For 2-3 weeks, it is recommended to take the seedling pots outside in the warmest and sunniest time of the day, so that the plants get used to it and then quickly adapt to the beds. It is worth planting basil only when the soil warms up to 15 ° C and the temperature does not drop in the dark. The distance between neighboring plants is at least 25 cm, so that the bushes grow wide and large.

Seed planting

Before planting basil seeds, the soil is pre-prepared, loosened, fertilized and moistened. You need to know when to plant basil seeds in open ground so that it takes root well. Usually, planting occurs in May, when the ground is warm enough and does not cool down at night. If spring is late, it is better to wait until June and be sure that the young plants will sprout and not freeze.

The seeds are placed on the surface at a distance of 10 cm from each other and sprinkled with earth. Usually, not all plants germinate, so a large number of seeds are sown.When the first shoots are strengthened, the beds are thinned out, leaving 25-30 cm between adjacent bushes. There should be at least 30 cm between the rows.

Young shoots are sensitive to temperature and soil moisture. If the air becomes cold when the plants are not yet strong, it is worth covering them with foil until warming.

Basil care

Everyone can handle basil planting and outdoor care. Watering is necessary during periods of drought, because without moisture, plants will not grow and may die. Also, waterlogging of the soil should not be allowed, otherwise the bushes will suffer from gray mold.

From the moment the first leaves appear, basil need to be pruned to form wide bushes. The upper growth point is removed, and the peduncles are also cut off. In this mode, you can achieve maximum branching of the basil.

It is important to regularly loosen the soil and weed all weeds, especially in beds with young, immature plants. The procedure can be carried out up to 7-10 times during the growing season, after which the soil should be watered. The first crop can be harvested when individual leaves reach 10-12 cm in length.

Planting basil and caring for it outdoors is a time-consuming task. The condition of the bushes must be monitored regularly, otherwise the plants may die due to frost or drying out. Lack of nutrients in the soil can affect the taste and size of the leaves.

Planting basil seedlings in open ground - video