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Holly's Homestead — Annual Herb

Basil

Ocimum basilicum · Mint family
DIFFICULTY Easy
TYPE Annual, warm season
MATURITY 50–60 days
Sun
Full sun, warm
Water
Regular
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
Spacing
20–30cm
Depth
0.5cm

01Pinch to bush out

Regularly pinching out the growing tips — especially any flower spikes — keeps basil bushy and leafy for far longer than leaving it to grow unchecked.

02Planting

Method
Direct sow or transplant seedlings once frost risk has passed.
Soil
Rich, well-drained.
Timing
Plant in late spring once nights are reliably warm — basil hates cold.

03Growing care

  • Pinch out growing tips regularly to encourage bushy growth.
  • Remove flower spikes as soon as they appear.
  • Water at the base, avoiding wet foliage.
  • Harvest from the top down, never stripping a plant bare.

04Problems

  • Downy mildew — humid conditions; improve airflow, avoid overhead watering.
  • Aphids — cluster on new growth; hose off.
  • Bolting — heat and stress; pinch flower spikes promptly.
  • Slugs and snails — target seedlings; use barriers.

05Harvest & storage

Signs
Usable once plants have several sets of true leaves.
Method
Pinch or snip leaves from the top of the plant.
Curing
Air-dry or freeze in oil for storage.
Storage
Fresh in a glass of water on the counter, a few days; dried or frozen, months.

06Companions & rotation

Plant nearby
TomatoCapsicumAsparagus
Avoid nearby
Rue
Rotation note
Fast annual; rotate loosely.