Step 1: Sowing Indoors (March – May)
- Fill starter pots with fine compost.
- Sprinkle seeds on top and cover very lightly with 0.3 – 0.5 cm of compost or vermiculite. Basil needs light to germinate, so don’t bury too deep.
Step 2: Water and Germination
- Mist gently with water.
- Keep compost moist but not waterlogged.
- Place in a warm spot.
Step 3: Growing Seedlings
- When seedlings develop 2 – 3 true leaves, thin them out into individual pots.
- Keep in a greenhouse or warm windowsill.
Step 4: Planting outdoors
- Harden off seedlings for a week (place outside during the day, bring in at night).
- Plant outdoors or in outdoor pots in a warm, sunny, sheltered spot.
- Spacing: 30 cm between plants, 25 cm between rows.
Step 5: Care and Harvest (June – September)
- Pinch out growing tips regularly to encourage bushy growth.
- Water consistently; basil dislikes drying out.
- Begin harvesting leaves from June onwards, continuing through September.
