Fresh, fragrant and an ally of good Mediterranean cuisine: we are talking about basil. To have it strong, leafy and always beautiful, it is good to plant it in an unusual place. Here’s where.
The basil plant is an annual plant that loves sunlight and a mild climate. It can be sown during the spring season and wait for it to grow lush. The leaves of the basil plant love direct light and prefer comfortable temperatures from fifteen degrees. To successfully grow this fragrant plant, it is necessary to know all the good secrets of expert nurserymen so that the basil grows lush and is not attacked by pests and insects. There is an unusual place that not everyone knows where you can plant basil and let it germinate.
The basil plant: what you need to know
The aromatic and fragrant herb par excellence, the queen of Ligurian cuisine and the basic ingredient to make Genoese pesto. We are talking about the basil plant, which gives off a truly unique and unmistakable aroma. Its scientific name is Ocimum basilicum and it belongs to the Lamiaceae family.
Basil leaves are used to add flavor and taste to dishes, including pizza. In addition to its use in the kitchen, this cultivar is one of the favorite annual plants of nurserymen and gardening enthusiasts to perfume their gardens. In addition, basil is a plant that helps scare away insects.
There are different varieties of basil to grow, including Genoese basil, purple basil, licorice basil, mint basil and other cultivars. The basil seedling can grow up to two feet and produce pink or white flowers.
Basil leaves: nutritional properties
Not everyone knows that using basil leaves in cooking is a veritable mine of nutritional properties. Basil is rich in minerals, vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, has negligible calories and a low glycemic index.
Basil: how to grow it?
The basil plant can be grown in the garden or on the balcony in pots. The seeds of the cultivar must be buried and covered with a layer of soil. As already said, the basil plant should be sown in spring, especially at the beginning of April to allow for more flowering. The soil where the basil plant is planted must be fertilized with nutrients to stimulate healthy growth. Nurserymen recommend the use of natural fertilizers, such as brewer’s yeast and coffee grounds. The basil plant should be fertilized twice a year: once in spring and once in autumn.
Basil plant: the position to beautify it
There is an unusual place where you can grow the basil plant: we are talking about our balcony or garden in the area where there is direct sunlight. Yes, basil leaves prefer heat and a mild climate. They hate shade and harsh climate. A good tip is to transplant the basil seedling into a small or medium-sized black pot. Water with water so that the soil does not dry out too quickly.
Basil plant: harvest time
Once the basil leaves are nice and leafy, they should be collected to prepare pesto or to garnish and flavor dishes.