Basil is not just a fragrant seasoning for salad or pesto. This is a thermophilic and capricious plant, which, with a competent approach, can delight not only with taste, but also with appearance. But it all depends on the conditions: lighting, soil and care.
The sun is its element
The basil loves light. For growth, saturated taste and aroma, it requires at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. If you plant it in partial shade or even more so in the shadow, the plant becomes lethargic, loses essential oils and smells weakly. The soil needs loose with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction (pH from 6.0 to 7.5) without stagnation of water. The roots of the basilica sensitive and cloth threatens the rot and the death of the plant.
How to care for correctly
For confident growth, the basil is needed simple, but regular actions:
1. They sow it only after the end of the frost, deepening the seeds by only 2-3 mm.
2. Watering in open ground is required about once a week, moisture pots are required more, especially in the heat.
3. The distance between the bushes should be from 15 to 30 cm so that they do not interfere with each other.
4. Mulching helps to maintain moisture, especially on the beds. You can use grass, leaves or compost.
5. It is necessary to feed infrequently, once every 3-4 weeks with liquid fertilizer in the garden, and at home less often.
6. Obserment is important after the appearance of two or three pairs of real leaves.
7. It is better to remove peduncles immediately, since with the beginning of flowering the leaves become coarser and lose their taste.
The variety matters
The most famous sweet basic is most often used in cooking. But decorative species, such as Purple Ruffles, require more attention. They should be grown through seedlings. Seeds are sown in the room 6-8 weeks before transplanting into open ground.
To protect against diseases, especially powdery mildew, choose stable varieties. They maintain decorativeness and productivity longer.
Basil is not the plant that suffers half measures. Light, heat, moderate watering and proper pruning make up its health formula. It is not difficult to grow it if you understand that he loves. And he loves the sun, space and care.
