How and when to plant basil

The best time to plant basil

Basil, also known as basil, is usually planted in spring. Due to the temperature difference between the north and the south, the planting time is slightly different. It can be planted in March and April in the south, while in the north it needs to be delayed until the end of April to early May.

Methods and key points of planting basil

1. Soil: Basil can tolerate poor soil but not clay. The soil for planting basil should be sandy soil with good drainage. Its roots can grow to 50 centimeters underground. When preparing the land, try to go as deep as possible and add an appropriate amount of decomposed farmyard manure.

2. Sowing: Basil is generally propagated by sowing. It is sown in rows, with each row about 30 cm apart. The seeds are sown in piles of 15 cm, and then covered with a thin layer of soil. After sowing, the soil should be moistened.

Key points for daily management of basil

1. Water and fertilizer

Basil likes a humid growing environment and needs to be watered frequently during the summer drought. If there is no rain, it needs to be watered every 5 days. Basil is a fertilizer-loving plant. Nitrogen fertilizer is usually applied to promote leaf growth, but the fertilizer should not be too concentrated to avoid causing the plant to grow too tall and deteriorate in quality.

2. Pests and diseases

During the growth period of basil, pests such as aphids, Japanese beetles, thrips, leaf miners, snails and slugs, as well as diseases such as fungal wilt and leaf spot will appear. Once the pests and diseases are discovered, they need to be prevented and controlled in time, otherwise it will lead to a decrease in yield.

3. Harvest

Be careful when harvesting basil. Generally, its stems and leaves are harvested. Harvesting can start in July, but remember to finish before August to avoid affecting the quality of the basil.