Basil - an annual plant, belongs to the order of spice. There are two types - purple and green and is a bushy plant with a height of up to sixty centimeters. Basil is grown in two ways: from seeds that are applied directly to the soil, and by growing seedlings with further transplantation into open soil. This method has the advantage that fresh leaves can be harvested for a long time.
Instruction manual
1
First, prepare the soil, consisting of a mixture of humus and peat in a proportion of one to one. Prepared soil is packaged in boxes and shallow grooves are made with a row spacing of at least four centimeters. Seeds are planted to a depth of not more than one centimeter. Planting is well shed with warm water and tightened with a film. The optimum temperature for seed germination in good light is a temperature of up to 25 ° C.
2
When biting the first leaf, they pick and plant seedlings in a container of at least 5X5 centimeters, possibly in peat pots. After a pick (in a week), the first top dressing is carried out. After two weeks, top dressing should be repeated.
3
When tying 5-6 leaves, the seedlings are ready for transplanting into the open ground. The best landing time is May. The soil should be light, dug together with humus. The gardener needs to pre-prepare the holes with a depth of not more than eight centimeters, pour nitrogen fertilizer into the holes.
4
Seedlings in peat pots are planted with them, and from other containers a sprout is selected along with an earthen lump. Seedlings are watered well. When new leaves appear during the formation of a basil bush, pinching the tops is done, and later flower ovaries are plucked.
5
During the growing season, plants must be weeded regularly, loosen the soil and water again. With a lack of moisture, basil will accumulate bitterness in the leaves.
6
Five to seven top dressings are done during the season, which contributes to the development of the green mass of the plant. Top dressing can be done with fresh mullein, which is mixed in a proportion of 1:10 with water. Five days later, a fermented solution is used to feed plants in the ratio of one liter of mixture to 10 liters of water.
7
Harvesting should be done as branches with leaves grow. The optimal length of the branch is up to 12 cm. After harvesting, the entire plot must be deep digged.
8
The best option to have fresh herbs in the winter is to transplant basil into a flower pot. It’s easy to take care of it, just like a houseplant, providing the basil with sufficient lighting and moisture.
note
Basil is often damaged by gray rot - a fungal disease. The disease manifests itself in the form of white plaque in the affected areas. The affected plant is destroyed.
