Many gardeners practice planting basil before winter. But in this case, the spice is grown not in the garden plot, but at home. Basil is a tropical herb that loves to be maintained. Therefore, planting seeds is only a small part of the growing process.
Is it possible to plant basil before winter?
Of course, growing crops in winter is possible. But in order to get a good harvest, it is important to properly prepare the seeds for sowing. In order for the essential oils to leave the grains, they are soaked in water for several hours. This is due to the fact that essential oils prevent seed germination.
Note! Since the days are short in winter, growing crops requires additional lighting. To do this, place a lamp near the container every evening.
Winter varieties
There are a few basil varieties for winter cultivation:
- Marquis. A cold-resistant variety that ripens in about 40 days. The plant is characterized by a strong stem and a height of 20–25 cm. The leaves of this variety are small and smooth, with a bright green color. One plant weighs about 150 grams. Marquise has a pronounced clove-pepper aroma. The variety can be grown in open ground under film cover, but provided there is no frost. Otherwise, the crop will not sprout.
- Small-leaved. A mid-season variety characterized by narrow, small leaves. The culture has a sweetish taste with a subtle tart taste.
- Clove. The variety is characterized by a strong aroma and a pronounced clove-anise flavor. The culture matures on average 40 days. The plant grows up to 40 cm, characterized by large leaves with wrinkled and jagged edges.
Preparing the container and soil for planting
The best thing basil growing in ready-made mixtures, which can be purchased in specialized stores. If soil from the garden is used for planting, it is first fertilized with mineral agents.
In the containers where the crop will be grown, small holes are made in the bottom, after which a drainage layer is laid out using expanded clay or pebbles. Its presence is necessary to remove excess moisture from the container.
There is another effective way to prepare the soil for basil. It is calcined in the oven at a temperature of 80-90 degrees. This will disinfect the soil and get a good yield.
Rules for winter planting
Before sowing the seeds, they are soaked in water for several hours, after which they are planted in containers with moistened soil. The distance between the seeds should be at least 7 cm, the planting depth should be 1 cm. After planting, the containers are covered with cling film and placed in a place where there is no direct sunlight. The air temperature should not be below 23 degrees. When the sprouts sprout, they are replanted.
Features of care
Basil loves light. Lighting is required at least 12 hours a day. Since winter days are short, it is important to provide plants with additional lighting. The lamps are hung directly above the containers with plants. It is also important to remember that lack of heat has a detrimental effect on greenery.
To get a good harvest, the temperature in the room where basil is grown should be at least 20 degrees.
Since indoor air is usually dry in winter, the crop needs not only watering, but also regular spraying of the leaves with a spray bottle. Water the crop in the morning exclusively with settled water. After the first leaves appear, the tops of the basil are pinched, this helps the bushes grow wider and not upward.
Growing in a greenhouse
Many gardeners prefer greenhouse cultivation of basil. The greenhouses must be well heated. One wall in them is made blank, this increases the temperature inside the room, which helps save on heating costs. A more economical option for covering a greenhouse is a double layer of plastic film. To maintain the optimal temperature for basil in the room, gardeners use rotted manure and straw.
Initially, the biofuel is laid out under a film, and after a few days it is placed on the beds and sprinkled on top with soil prepared for sowing.
The premises are heated using stoves or electric stoves. The soil for the crop should be loose and light. Before planting, it is fertilized with rotted manure. 10–15 days after planting the seeds, it is fed with urea or droppings.
Greenhouse basil is grown in two ways:
- From seedlings.
- Sowing seeds.
In the second case, the seeds are pre-sown in light soil. After 2 leaves appear on the plants, pick. The distance between plants should not be less than 5 cm, this is the only way they can develop normally. After 30-40 days, the seedlings are transplanted into a greenhouse. Shallow furrows are made under it, which are located at a distance of 15 cm from each other. Every week the beds need abundant watering with settled water.
Since basil is a heat-loving crop, it is important to maintain the air temperature in the greenhouse; it should be at least 22 degrees. It is important to remember that the plant also does not need excessive heat, so greenhouses are ventilated from time to time.
What to do in spring?
Harvesting basil is quite easy. The leafy part and the tops of the stem are carefully cut off with a knife or scissors. It is important to collect plants before flowering, since during this period their leaves contain the maximum concentration of essential oils.
Greens can be eaten fresh or dried. In the second case, the plants are stored in a warm room. It is optimal if it is an attic where the air temperature is at least 25 degrees. Can dry basil and in the oven, but it is important not to overdo it with the temperature, otherwise the plant will lose its beneficial properties.After the procedure, the stems and leaves of the greenery should break easily. Dried and chopped basil is placed in a glass jar, closed with a lid and stored in a dark, dry place.
