How to Grow Basil in Home Garden

Basil is a favorite herb to grow in a home garden, both for fresh basil to use in recipes and also for a touch of aromatic greenery in the garden. Basil grows equally well in container gardens or in-ground gardens. Get started growing fresh basil with these growing tips.

Sow basil seeds (in-ground or containers) in the spring after all danger of frost has past. Basil thrives in a sunny location and loose soil that has good drainage. After the basil seeds have sprouted, thin the sprouts so the basil plants will have enough room to grow and receive good air circulation. To thin basil sprouts, gently grasp the sprouts at their base and pull up, try to get all the sprout roots, then transplant the tiny sprouts to another location so none goes to waste.

When the basil sprouts have reached two-to-three inches in height, it’s time for their first feeding. Use a water soluble fertilize (Miracle-Gro) for the first basil feeding, then repeat the fertilizing again in four weeks. No other fertilizing is needed. Water regularly and

harvest the basil leaves when the plants become bushy.