Many housewives master the cultivation of fresh greenery, equipping improvised beds right on the windowsill. The short growing season of the basil allows you to harvest all year round, and you don't need to go to the supermarket or market for seasoning for salad or first courses. In our article we will tell you how and what varieties should be grown at home from seeds.
Is it possible to grow basil on a windowsill
Basil is a popular herb. It is successfully grown in pots right at home in the kitchen or balcony of an apartment. For beginners in home gardening, it is recommended to start with this spice, as it unpretentious in care.
The grass feels great indoors, giving a generous harvest. The timing of planting and harvesting the leaves is not limited to any dates; basil grows well in summer and winter. The article describes in detail the rules of agricultural technology and other features of home cultivation.
There are many ways to plant and grow basil on the windowsill: using cuttings, young shoots and seeds. The seed method is distinguished by a long and abundant formation of greenery on the bush.
Which variety to choose to grow at home
Those wishing to acquire a green bed right on the windowsill can use any variety for seeding. However, given the peculiarities of home cultivation and limited space, preference should be given to undersized beam-forming varieties basilica.
Dwarf
A compact bush with small leaves reaches a height of only 8-10 cm (growing season 60-65 days). Suitable for outdoor and indoor cultivation, where forms leaves all year round.
The plant is used as a seasoning, has an excellent taste, but in addition to these advantages it has a rich vitamin composition, saturated with useful micro and macro elements.
The use of greens has a beneficial effect on the digestive system, strengthens the protective function of the body.
Marquis
Basil of medium early ripening with a vegetation period of 65 days. The aroma of the herb is saturated with a clove-pepper aroma, small green leaves. Bush height does not exceed 25 cm... The branching diameter is about 20 cm, which allows growing crops in pots.
With proper agricultural technology, it can be removed from the plant 100-120 gr. greenery... In addition to being used for different dishes, Marquis will complement drinks (tea, cocktails) with a delicate and refined taste.
Preparing the soil for planting
To plant the basil, you will need pots, wooden crates, or plastic containers. A prerequisite is the presence of drainage holes at the bottom of the containers. The volume of the pot is selected within 1-2 l, container depth - more than 15 cm.
One of the important conditions for growing greens is considered to be a properly composed soil mixture.
Can be used universal soil or prepare the substrate yourself. The following options are ideal for basil:
- universal soil + garden soil + peat (1: 1: 1);
- biohumus + substrate for indoor plants (1: 4);
- peat, fertile soil, compost (1: 2: 0.5).
The soil used must be bake in the oven for disinfection (1 hour at a temperature of 100 degrees).
The filling of the container with the substrate should be carried out in the following sequence:
- the bottom is covered with pebbles or expanded clay by 2-3 cm (drainage);
- the next layer of soil (3-4 cm does not reach the edges of the pot).
Sowing seeds
Seeds must be processed before planting. Although this stage is considered optional, when buying material from unfamiliar manufacturers or from hands, there is a high probability of infection of young shoots with fungal diseases.
Disinfection is carried out using a weak solution of potassium permanganate, in which you need to soak the seeds for 2 hours. After processing, the grains are washed with clean water and laid out on cheesecloth to dry.
The day before landing you need water the soil by sprayingso as not to overmoisten it.
The seeding process includes:
- plant seeds with tweezers at intervals 2 cm apart;
- dusting with a layer of soil 1-2 cm;
- creating a shelter made of glass or plastic wrap (transparent).
The container for germinating seeds is placed in a warm place... From time to time you will need to open the film or glass for ventilation. Watering is not needed at this stage. However, if overdrying of the soil is noticed, you can lightly spray the improvised bed with warm settled water (preferably thawed).
The first shoots appear in 7-15 days, depending on the variety and temperature regime. After the emergence of mass shoots, you need to remove the shelter. And when the seedlings stretch out a little, you can safely thin out the garden, leaving 10 cm between the shoots. After the basil grows up to 5-7 cm, you need to pour soil into the container (2-3 cm).
Basil care rules when growing
With proper farming practices, with proper care, and the right seed variety, fresh greens can be cut almost all year round. One of the main conditions is the temperature regime, it must correspond 20-25 degrees... If the indicator is any lower, then the grass loses its aroma.
Watering
The potting mix should always be moist, but you should avoid stagnant water in it. During the summer period, it is necessary to perform a daily moisturizing procedure by spraying bush.
Tap water is not suitable for watering. The presence of chemical compounds, metals and chlorine in its composition negatively affects the greens.
With regular use, yellowness appears, the leaves sometimes curl. Melt liquid or settled rainwater is more suitable. Its temperature should be within 18-22 degrees... Watering with cold water inhibits the development of plants, in particular the root system.
In winter, irrigation should be carried out less often, 2 times a week will be enough. But in any case, it is important to consider the degree of dryness of the soil.
Lighting
For normal vegetation, basil requires 12 hours of natural light... In the period from March to August, there is enough sunlight near the window, and from autumn to February it is better to install a fluorescent lamp for additional light above the makeshift garden.
The distance between plants and lighting fixture is 20-30 cm.
Loosening
The soil loosening procedure is performed 1 time in 3-4 days to enrich it with oxygen. In hot weather, when the air is dry, it is necessary to loosen the soil more often so that an earthen crust does not form on the surface.
Top dressing
To stimulate the growth of grass leaves you need Apply complex fertilizers once a month... The first time the plant is fed at the stage of active growth, before flowering. In 5 liters of water, dilute 1 tbsp. l. nitrophosphate.
Repeated procedures are carried out using universal fertilizers based on humates and compost. When diluting the working solution, the dosages indicated by the manufacturer are observed.
When choosing a place for basil containers, it should be borne in mind that the culture reacts negatively to drafts. To prevent direct sunlight from burning out the greens, you need to create light shading (using air tulle).
Harvesting
To extend the life cycle of the plant and maximize the preservation of the aroma in the leaves, it is recommended flower-bearing shoots are regularly removed.
They begin to form a bush after the formation of 4-6 leaves (approximately 1-1.5 months after sowing). At this stage, pinch the top of the basil (2-3 leaves from the top of the stem). This procedure promotes branching and leafy.
Cut tops with herbs used for culinary purposes or dried for a long shelf life. Crushed fresh basil leaves can also be frozen and used to prepare various dishes. Repeat the pinching procedure every 2-3 weeks.
Growing greenery on the windowsill can be a real hobby for the household. In addition, pots with basil bushes have decorative value, they bring a piece of nature and freshness to the interior.