Everything you need to know about growing basil indoors
Growing basil indoors is a great way to make sure you always have fresh basil available for all of your favorite recipes. Basil needs warm weather to thrive, so it’s impossible to grow it in cooler climates. Basil needs a lot of sunshine and heat, but you can simulate these conditions by growing basil indoors.
When you’re ready to begin growing basil indoors, the best place to start is with the proper soil. You’ll need a pH level between 6.0 and 7.5. An organic fertilizer will help you prepare the soil to get the proper pH level and maintain it. You’ll also need to make sure the pots you use drain properly because basil will not grow in water-logged pots. You also need to check the pH level of the soil about once a month because basil is a very picky plant when it comes to having the right soil. Plant your basil seeds about a quarter of an inch down in the pot. You’ll have sprouts in a little less than a week.
Another important thing to consider when you’re growing basil indoors is making sure your plant gets enough sunlight. Basil needs a lot of sunlight, so choose a window that has a direct view of the sun for as long as possible. You may also want to have a fluorescent light available for cloudy days, although it’s important to remember that you need about 12 hours of artificial light to make up the nutrients a plant receives from just six hours of sunlight.
Harvest time for your basil plant will usually come about two weeks after you planted it, although it can come as early as a week. Just watch your plant carefully and water it regularly. Use water that is at room temperature to help your basil plant grow faster. Cold water will help, although it slows the growth of the plant. You need to keep the soil moist but not drenched.
You’ll know it’s time to pick some of your basil when the plant has about three or four sets of full leaves. When your basil plant reaches six inches tall, make sure you pinch off the tops of the plant. This will help it grow more leaves and ensure you’ve got a basil plant that will keep producing herb. To harvest your basil, you can cut single leaves or whole stems. Single leaves can be cut any time you need some fresh basil for a recipe. If you’re harvesting a whole stem, make sure you cut above a pair of leaves to ensure that the plant will grow more leaves.
Growing basil indoors is a great way to provide natural air freshener for your kitchen while giving you a way to get fresh basil any time you need it. Basil can be grown outdoors if you wish, but growing it indoors is really the best way to make sure you’ve got plenty of the herb year-round.