

But what happens if you start getting woody basil plants? Troubleshooting Woody Stems in Basilīasil, unlike some plants, actually loves to have a little taken off the top. Use liquid fertilizer at half the recommended strength every four to six weeks for indoor basil and every three to four weeks for basil that is grown outside in containers.įollow all of the above and you should have an abundance of lovely, aromatic basil leaves to harvest.

Lightly fertilize basil with a 5-10-5 food once or twice at the rate of 3 ounces (85 g) for every 10 feet (3 m.) of planting space. If the plants are in containers, they may need additional water. Water the basil every seven to 10 days, depending upon rainfall. Mulch around the plants with grass clippings, straw, compost or ground leaves to help retain moisture and retard weeds. When the seedlings have two or three pairs of leaves, thin them or transplant them 6-12 inches (15-30 cm.) apart. Keep the seedlings moist but not drenched or they may develop a fungal disease called damping-off. Within five to seven days, you’ll see the seedlings begin to emerge. Sow the seeds evenly and cover them with ¼-inch (.6 cm.) of well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5. You can direct sow into the garden after all danger of frost has passed or start seeds early indoors (six to eight weeks prior to planting outside). Proper planting and ongoing care of basil give it the best chance to flourish and avoid disease and pests.īasil, like most herbs, likes lot of sunshine, at least six to eight hours per day. Basil is grown primarily for its tender, young leaves which are used either fresh or dried in Asian and European foods.
BASIL SEEDLINGS STOPPED GROWING HOW TO
How to Avoid Basil with Woody Stemsīasil, Ocimum basilicum, is a member of the Lamiaceae or mint family. If you have basil stems turning into wood, read on to learn about troubleshooting woody stems in basil. Even so, basil plants can have a number of issues among these are basil plants with woody stems. As with other herbs, basil is easy to grow and with ideal conditions quite prolific. Basil is a wonderfully versatile annual herb that is native to southern Asia and the islands of the South Pacific.
