Starting Basil Seeds Indoors

Basil is my favorite herb. I grew an abundance of it last year. I made enough pesto for our family and many of our relatives. This is an herb I absolutely recommend growing. Making your own pesto only costs a fraction of the store bought varieties.

STEP ONE

For me, this is the most difficult part. You will have to choose what type of basil you want to grow.

Here is a short list of some basil varieties. Click on any of the varieties, I linked online stores where you can buy them.

Sweet basil

Lettuce leaf basil 

Mammoth basil

Genovese basil    

Nufar basil 

Spicy globe basil  

Greek Yevani basil

Fino verde basil  

Boxwood basil    

Purple ruffles basil     

Magical Michael  

Dark opal basil   

Red rubin basil

Osmin purple basil

Cuban basil

Thai basil  

'Siam Queen'     

Cinnamon basil   

Licorice basil     

Mrs. Burns lemon basil 

Lemon Basil

Lime Basil

African Blue Basil

Spice Basil

Sweet Dani Basil

STEP TWO

Start seeds in flats filled with equal parts of perlite, vermiculite and peat. Press the soil enough to eliminate any air pockets, then dampen the soil. Drop a couple of seeds into each container, lightly cover them with soil. Wrap plastic around the seedlings and put them in a bright area. If you have a light system in place, that is even better. I live in Seattle, and it is always dark but the kitchen light is usually on. I keep my seedlings on top of the cupboards near the lights.

STEP THREE

Water the plants lightly, about twice daily. If you used plastic to cover them, remove it once the plants emerge.

STEP FOUR

Once the leaves formed your plant can be re-potted or put  in the garden. Word of caution. They will die if there is a frost. These are warm loving plants. To plant into the garden pinch off the bottom two leaves, turn the container upside down and gently tap until the plant slides out. Bury roots and stem to cover the spot where the leaves were pinched of. Pat down soil to eliminate air pockets.

STEP FIVE

Love your plants. I prune the leaves as the plants grow. We always have a fresh supply in the house. One important tip - never let your basil plant flower. Once it does, all the flavor is gone. It is a mean thing to do to the plant, sorry, but remove those flower buds as soon as you see them form.

Enjoy your plants and your pesto.