Do you want to have a green basil all year round? Here's how you can do it – Blog

Basil is a versatile ingredient that offers a special flavor to culinary preparations. They do not in vain Italians have used it since ancient times. He also found a hole in our kitchen and there are more and more people of cultivation in the garden or in pot. If you also want to cultivate your basil, continue reading and discovering some useful tips on how to plant and take care of the basil.

Talk about aromatic plants

Aromatic plants, such as basil, are an excellent option for flavoring food, using both fresh and dry. They can be easily grown at home, they do not require a very large space. If you have time to cultivate aromatic plants, you will enjoy the stronger aroma, because you will always have fresh them, at your disposal.

Basil is one of the most popular herbs. We can use it both in food and in various drinks and it is not difficult to cultivate. From a single floor you can get 1-2 cups of fresh basil per week.

Basil description

Basil It is part of the same category of mint and sage plants. It is called the family that includes them all. lip. The scientific name of basil is The basilisk. As for its origin, we know that Basil was grown for the first time in Asia, in countries like India, Iran or Afghanistan. In the territory of our country we can cultivate it at our discretion in any region. The leaves of the plant are of an intense green tone and are focused on the tip. In height, the basil grows up to 0.1 – 0.5 meters. Basil can dry, use fresh or keep in the freezer to use food preparations.

What are the benefits of basil and why is it good to always have it green at home?

In addition to its great flavor, basil can also be used as a natural treatment to eliminate stress, reduce cholesterol, soothe pain pain or improve respiratory diseases. Basil also has antibacterial properties and contains essential oils that can be used both in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.

Types of basil and characteristics

The most common types of basil are Italian Y red basil.

There are several varieties of basil very common in our lands: there are two condor and Anita. Other types of basil with specific characteristics are Thai basil and lemon basil or cinnamon basil.

Cultivation of basil

Grow in the garden

Basil spreads by seed. Basil seeds should be sown in the garden in March, April. They will have files with a distance of 20 cm with each other. They should not be covered by a lot of earth. The seeds germinate at temperatures between 12 and 21 degrees. Basil fears the cold and must be protected, therefore, if we cry seedlings, we must ensure that the temperatures exceed 18 degrees. The seedlings can be grown in pots in February.

Basil can grow in various types of soil: alluvial, sandy, clay. He feels good on the floors that have a good drainage and are dissolved. At the same time, it will be necessary to place the basil in a part of the garden where it is protected by the wind. We can collect a garden basil as soon as the plant starts to bloom. About a month and a half after sowing we have to cut the tips of the basil to prevent the development of flowers.

Grow in vases

If you want to have a fresh basil throughout the year you have to grow it in pots, because the basil bushes do not tolerate the winter frost if they remain in the garden. Initially it is possible to plant basil in a 15-30 cm pot with drainage hole. Some seeds are sufficient to obtain a plant, the distance between them must be about 4 cm and the depth must be 6-7 mm.

Take care of basil

Albahaca does not like the cold, so it must remain inside during the cold station at temperatures of at least 18 degrees.

At the same time, Basil loves light. So, both in the garden and at home, we must position it strategically to give it the sun. A pot positioned near the window is the best option if you want to grow it throughout the year. If it is not part of the sun, the basil becomes yellow and becomes much less fragrant and aromatic.

If the basil is dry, it can also water every day. However, don't use too much water. If you notice that the water is still in the roots and is not absorbed by the earth, do not water the basil again, otherwise the roots will march and the plant will die. On the other hand, if we see that the basil leaves begin to become yellow, it means that the plant suffers from water and must be regularly watering. When we start cultivating new basil plants, we use small vases. When the plant grows, we can change the pot. When the plant reaches a height of 50 cm, it can be transferred to a pot with a height of 25-30 cm. The best floor to cultivate the basil in pot is the sandy floor, the type of soil used for flowers. Basil must be pruned regularly to encourage vigorous growth. Be careful not to exceed 1/3 of the plant. Another important thing for those who want to maintain fresh basil is the need to cut the flowers.

They are removed immediately after their appearance in order not to absorb the necessary nutrients for the leaves.

When the cold season approaches, the basil that we had held until then in the garden will move inside. Before moving it, you have to carefully wash the plant to eliminate any possible parasite or insect that takes refuge between its leaves. If the basil leaves begin to dry, they must be removed to avoid fungal transmitted diseases.

What nutrients does it need to last the basil all year round, especially in the cold station?

If the cultivation of Albahaca in pots to consume it fresh, we do not recommend the use of chemical fertilizers. Instead, you can use natural fertilizers such as egg shells or dry leaves.

Fertilizer for basil and when they can be applied

Basil is not very demanding in terms of nutritional needs. In general, it can develop harmoniously using the resources they naturally find on earth. If we want greater production we can still use universal fertilizers that we will apply in spray. The application is carried out with moderation at intervals of about 14 days.

Which diseases and parasites can influence basil?

Basil is usually attacked by aphids and cycadi. The most common disease that endangers it are ears. In specialized stores it is possible to acquire specific treatments to maintain basil diseases or fight them.

Basil is a very demanding plant that can contribute with countless health benefits and surprising flavors to your cuisine. Did I convince you that it is worth cultivating the basil and that it is not difficult to do it?