Growing Basil

Ocimum basilicum : Lamiaceae / the mint family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
      T                
      P P              

(Best months for growing Basil in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 18°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 25 cm apart
  • Harvest in 10-12 weeks. Pick before flowering.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Tomato

Your comments and tips

13 Feb 12, Rose (Australia - temperate climate)
Try a different position to grow and add a lot of nitrogenous fertilizer and manure,... Or better still try a different variety
25 Jan 12, Kam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try planting them I a pot with some tomatoes. Also I have been watering mine with worm tea and it has gone nuts you should look into a small worm farm. They are awesome for everything :) hope this helped
24 Nov 11, Amy Mitchell (Australia - temperate climate)
My basil has started getting brown dots. I don't think this is good. What can I do?
11 Apr 11, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
As basil plants grow older, they loose their taste and become very bitter and odd tasting, so i find that if you pinch the flowers off when they are dead and sow them into the soil for the next crop, which means you have fresh basil. The flowers contain seeds and i have used this method and I have never bought any basil seeds or plants.
22 Jan 11, Trish (Australia - tropical climate)
We have a few basil plants around a foot high right now and are picking and eating happily. They haven't flowered, and I'm told I should pinch off the flowers to prevent it. my question - I'm such a beginner - do they die off and require replacing, or do the carry on forever if I keep pinching off the flowering heads? If they die, I should be planting again now!
14 Oct 11, Julie (Australia - temperate climate)
I have been experimenting growing herbs for the last year. Let some of the basil flower and go to seed, when dried out save the seeds and plant again in September for regrowth. Perfect for making pesto, keeps well when made and sealed. Basil does need to be sown each year,
23 Jan 11, craig (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You can actually just cut them right back and dry an excess in the oven (very low temp for 45 min or so). the plant will look like death, but tends to start growing again. If it dosent it's an easy herb to keep seeding. I still have the same "bush" that Ive had in a pot for 3 years. Pick, dry regrow start again!
18 Dec 10, Mish (Australia - temperate climate)
I seem to be able to grow every thing besides basil!! Tried different types, seedlings, seeds, sun, under shade cloth... Nothing works , they just shrivel up and die everytime. Am I posibley watering them too much?? All my other herbs and veg are lush green and healthy
28 May 10, Steve (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
How can I grow Thai Basil in Adelaide Winter,I have small glasshose will this work or do I need lighting too Ta
12 May 10, Rachel (Australia - temperate climate)
How do I make my basil grow fuller? does anyone know how my plant needs to be groomed to grow thick and lustrous? thanks
Showing 101 - 110 of 123 comments

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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