RevitalizeYour Wilted Basil: Employ 3 Expert-Recommended Methods for Boosting its Lifespan - Witness a Significant Growth in a Few Weeks
In the world of home gardening, one herb stands out for its ease of growth and delightful flavour: basil. Sara Rubens, the founder of Seed to Sanctuary, a garden design company based in North Carolina, shares her expert advice on how to grow and maintain sweet Italian basil plants.
To ensure a long and healthy life for your basil, three key practices are essential. First, consistent pruning is vital. By pinching off the top set of leaves regularly, especially before the plant flowers, you can encourage bushier growth and redirect energy to leaves instead of seeds. Following the "one third pruning rule" helps avoid stunting growth and promoting a larger plant.
Second, proper sunlight is crucial for basil's growth. Basil thrives in a location with at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. To make the most of this requirement, grow your basil in a container with drainage holes, allowing you to implement the soaking trick effectively. Soaking the basil plant once a week by placing the container in a bowl of water for about 20 minutes ensures roots get enough moisture without becoming waterlogged.
Lastly, smart watering is key. Basil prefers evenly moist but not soggy soil. Deep watering when the top inch of soil feels dry is ideal. This approach ensures that the plant receives adequate hydration while avoiding root rot, which basil dislikes.
Additionally, providing garden shade for basil may be necessary in extremely hot US hardiness zones. A well-draining container or garden bed is also essential for your basil's health.
For those seeking to give their basil an extra boost of nutrients, a fertilizer specially formulated for herb plants can be beneficial.
When the growing season comes to an end, you can save basil seeds to plant next year by allowing the plant to put out flowers and set seed.
With these expert tips from Sara Rubens, growing sweet Italian basil at home has never been easier. Basil is one of the simplest herbs to cultivate, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
