Basil

Planting basil

Start indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost or sow after warm weather arrives.

Planting details

• Transplant after cold nights have passed
• Spacing: about 12 inches
• Pinch flower buds for leafy growth

Growing requirements

Give basil full sun and well-drained soil. Water at the base and harvest frequently to encourage branching.

Harvesting and care

Pinch tips regularly and harvest leaves in the morning for the best flavor. Cut stems just above a leaf pair so the plant branches; remove flower spikes as soon as they appear.

Common mistakes

• Letting plants flower, which shifts energy from leaves to seed and turns foliage bitter
• Watering overhead in the evening, which can encourage leaf diseases
• Setting plants out in cold soil, which stalls growth for weeks

Companion plants

Basil grows well near tomatoes and peppers when the bed has enough sun and airflow.