When to plant basil seedlings in 2022 according to the lunar calendar
Basil is one of the most popular spice crops, but also the most whimsical. He loves heat very much, therefore, in order to get a big harvest, it is important to observe the terms of sowing and planting. We tell you when to plant basil in 2022 for seedlings and in open ground

Basil can be grown in two ways: through seedlings or by sowing seeds directly into open ground. In the first case, the yield will be larger, since the growing season will increase, the plants will be able to grow more greenery. But a reckless method will help reduce labor costs.

How to determine landing dates in your area

The timing of sowing seeds depends on the cultivation option:

  • with seedling method – from March 25 to April 10;
  • when sowing in open ground – from May 25 to June 10.

– You can sow basil in the garden earlier, in early May, but on condition that the soil warms up well (up to 15 ° C), and then the plants will be covered with non-woven material. Without shelter, it is not worth sowing it before the end of May – there may be return frosts, and the basil will not survive them, – says agronomist-breeder Svetlana Mihailova.

And they also depend on the purpose of cultivation. If you need basil for greens, then you can not bother with seedlings, but sow the seeds immediately on the beds. And if you want to collect your seeds, then it must be grown through seedlings (1), otherwise they will not have time to ripen.

How to prepare seeds for sowing

Basil seeds do not require any pre-treatment – they are sown dry to a depth of 0,5 cm (2).

If the seeds are sown for seedlings in boxes, then the grooves are made at a distance of 5–7 cm from each other, and it is advisable to leave about 2 cm between plants.

If the seeds are sown immediately in open ground, you can use different schemes, but there are two classic ones:

  • between rows – 40 cm, in a row – 25 cm;
  • between rows – 30 cm, in a row – 30 cm.

– Basil seedlings are planted at the same distance. It may seem that there is too much space for spices, but it’s not worth it, – advises agronomist Svetlana Mikhailova, – basil is a rather powerful plant, some varieties reach a height of 40 cm, while it loves an abundance of light, and with a dense planting, the bushes will shade each other and will not give the proper harvest.

Basil seedling care tips

Temperature and lighting. Basil shoots appear in 10-12 days, provided that the boxes were kept warm, at a temperature of 20-25 °C (3). If the room is cool, seedlings may appear later.

– But after the sprouts have sprouted, the seedlings should be moved to a cooler (16 – 18 ° C) and always bright place (ideally – to the south window), – Svetlana Mikhailova recommends, – only in this case the plants will turn out strong and stocky . And in heat and with a lack of light, they are strongly drawn out.

Watering. Basil seedlings should be watered with warm water and infrequently – the earth should dry out a little. Excessive moisture can trigger an outbreak of fungal diseases, such as black leg. For this reason, it is important to drain the water from the pans after watering.

Feeding. On the Internet you can find a lot of advice on feeding basil seedlings, but it is better not to fertilize it with anything at all – there are usually enough nutrients in the soil. But excess nitrogen fertilizers (including organic ones) can lead to the accumulation of nitrates – all spice crops are prone to this problem.

Formation. When the seedlings have 6 – 9 true leaves, pinch the crown of the plants – they will bush better and give more yield.

Hardening. 2 weeks before planting basil on the beds, it is useful to harden the seedlings. First, it can be taken out into the fresh air (into the yard, onto a balcony or loggia) for a couple of hours. Then the time is gradually increased, and after a few days the plants can be left outside for the whole day, and if the temperature is above 5 ° C at night, then for the night.

Landing in open ground. It is necessary to plant basil seedlings at the same level at which it grew in a box – it is undesirable to deepen. It is better to do this on a cloudy day or in the evening, so that the seedlings have time to adapt to a new place. When planting in the morning or afternoon, young plants may suffer from the scorching sun.

show more

Favorable days for planting seedlings at home or in a greenhouse

Sowing seeds for seedlings: 11 – 17 March, 1, 8 – 9, 13 – 15 April.

Sowing seeds in open ground: 1 – 15, 31 May, 1 – 12 June.

Favorable days for planting seedlings in open ground

Transplanting: 1 – 15, 31 May, 1 – 12 June.

Popular questions and answers

We talked about growing basil with agronomist-breeder Svetlana Mikhailova.

How to choose a variety of basil?

By and large, basil can be grown in almost any region of Our Country, so varieties can be selected by color – someone likes green varieties, and someone likes purple. Or by smell – varieties come with the aroma of lemon, cinnamon, cloves, anise and even vanilla.

How long will the germination of basil seeds last?

Basil seeds remain viable for 4-5 years. But you should always take them with a margin, because even fresh seeds have a low germination rate – 60%.

Is it possible to grow basil at home on a windowsill?

Yes, you can, and at home, basil can be grown as a perennial plant. You can grow it from seeds, or you can buy basil in a pot in the store – they sell it in the grocery department. But you need to remember that basil is a photophilous plant, it is better to grow it on the southern windows, or provide lighting with fitolamps.

Sources of

  1. Shuin K.A., Zakraevskaya N.K., Ippolitova N.Ya. Garden from spring to autumn // Minsk, Uradzhay, 1990 – 256 p.
  2. A group of authors, ed. Polyanskoy A.M. and Chulkova E.I. Tips for gardeners // Minsk, Harvest, 1970 – 208 p.
  3. Pantielev Ya.Kh. ABC vegetable grower // M .: Kolos, 1992 – 383 p.

Leave a Reply