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Soil basil is an essential spice in every household, doubling as a precious medicinal plant. With simple cultivation techniques, homemakers can cultivate it at home.
As a widely used and aromatic herb in daily life, basil can be consumed fresh or used as a spice in various dishes. Learn how to grow soil basil at home - simple, clean, and delicious!
With high nutritional value, rich in vitamins A, C, and minerals such as Ca, Fe, and P, soil basil is not just for preparing delicious dishes but also possesses significant healing properties. From the stem, branches to the seeds of soil basil, all can be used as medicine. Growing basil is straightforward; you can sow seeds or propagate branches - both work well.
Planting Medium
For growing soil basil in pots, choose clean, nutrient-rich soil to ensure the plants are free from pests and diseases, eliminating the need for additional fertilizer. Remember to elevate the bottom of the pot 2 inches above the ground for efficient water drainage.
As mentioned earlier, there are two methods for cultivating soil basil: seed sowing and branch propagation. Opting for seed sowing results in a higher yield compared to branch propagation. Soil basil can be cultivated year-round.
Seed Sowing Method
Seeding Method
Branch Propagation Method
Similar to other aromatic herbs like peppermint or basil, for growing soil basil, you can propagate new plants from a mature branch.
First, select a young and healthy soil basil branch. Remove all the leaves below, leaving only the top two young leaves. Use scissors to cut a segment about 5 to 7cm long from the top. Soak the branch in a bowl of water, submerging about 3/4 of the branch, and place it in a well-lit, cool area.
In just 3-4 weeks, the vibrant roots of basil begin their flourishing journey in the soil. Once the roots reach a robust 10cm, it's time to transplant them into the earth. Before planting, trim some leaves to concentrate nutrients for optimal growth.
Move the basil plant to a clean pot with a mix of cinnamon compost, and watch them thrive, producing leaves consistently. From the initial water cultivation to the commencement of harvesting, it takes approximately 2.5 months.
Care Tips
Regularly weed, cultivate, and fertilize the base to foster the plant's growth. During the phase when the young plant has 4-5 true leaves, it is susceptible to damping-off disease caused by Fusarium sp. Treat the soil with lime before planting to prevent this. In the rainy season, ensure sparse planting and gather plant residues for disposal.
Basil soil is one of the earliest herbal remedies used in medical practices. During ancient Greek times, they employed it to treat both skin wounds and mental injuries. Up to the present day, basil soil has proven its efficacy in healing through scientific reports, addressing issues like insomnia, indigestion, Alzheimer's, immunity boost, and the common cold.
Congratulations! You've mastered the art of cultivating basil soil at home. The process is simple, yet it yields delicious and clean basil leaves for your family meals.
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Posted by: Tuan Pham
Keywords: Guide on Planting Basil in Pots for Year-Round Herb Harvest
