If you're looking for an authentic and robust type of herb, you can't ignore wild basil. With dark red foliage and pink flowers, the plant is also a feast for the eyes. Read here how to properly plant and care for this gem.
How to properly care for wild basil?
Wild basil requires a sunny, warm location, nutrient-rich, fresh, moist soil and regular watering. The seeds are sown on the windowsill in April and the young plants are planted outdoors in mid-May. Weekly fertilization supports growth.
Sowing on the windowsill creates vital young plants
The window for sowing basil seeds behind glass opens at the beginning of April. Compared to direct sowing, this form of cultivation scores points with strong young plants that move into the bed with an advantageous growth advantage. How to proceed:
- fill a seed tray with lean substrate
- spray with water and sow the seeds 5 centimeters apart
- just press the light germinators
- At 20-25 degrees Celsius the germination time is only a few days
If there is a lot of space in the seed container, the seedlings are transplanted into individual pots. Until the planting season begins in mid-May, they stay in the bright window seat to be kept constantly slightly moist.
Planting wild basil outdoors – this is how it works
If wild basil finds a sunny, warm location in the bed, the resilient herb plant will do its best. This is even more true if the soil is nutrient-rich and fresh and moist. The planting itself is very easy:
- soak the potted young plant with water until no more air bubbles appear
- dug a planting pit with twice the volume of the root ball
- enrich the excavation with compost or granulated cattle manure
- Unpot, plant and water the basil
Of course, the wild type of basil also develops its full aroma in the pot. Potting soil is a suitable substrate here, optimized with sand or expanded clay. Drainage at the bottom of the pot prevents harmful waterlogging.
This care is what matters
By choosing the ideal location and planting correctly, you're half the way to beautiful basil. Throughout the summer, the focus is on a regular supply of water and nutrients. Pamper the heavy eater weekly with an organic fertilizer (€56.00 on Amazon). If the temperatures drop below 10 degrees, the plant moves indoors to overwinter.
Tips & Tricks
Wild basil impresses with an inimitable aromatic composition of cinnamon, anise, pepper and clove, rounded off by a subtle sweetness. With this seasoning, the royal herb gives fresh salad and Asian dishes a special kick.
