How to Grow Bush Basil

Bush basil is much smaller than its sweet basil cousin. While sweet basil may grow to 2 to 3 feet, bush basil reaches only 6 to 10 inches. It is milder in flavor, but is used in cooking the same way as all its larger cousins. Bush basil is known in the horticulture world as "Ocymum minumum." Use these steps to grow bush basil.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Decide on inside or outside. Because of its small size, bush basil can easily be grown indoors in pots. It needs a good potting soil and no cold drafts. A sunny window is needed, with several hours of sunlight. If planting outdoors, the bush basil needs sunshine for 3 to 4 hours in warm areas or 6 to 8 hours in cool areas.
2. Get ready for planting. If planting in a pot, use good quality potting soil. Do not use a pot that is too large; use about a 6 to 9-inch pot. If growing outdoors, ready the soil by clearing any weeds, adding compost and thoroughly watering a day before sowing seeds. Bush basil thrives on rich soil.
3. Plant the seeds. The ground should be warm, between 75 and 90 degrees F. Seeds should sprinkled lightly and covered with no more than a quarter inch of soil or compost. Press the seeded area gently to allow soil contact for germination. Water the seeds lightly. As another alternative, buy bush basil seedlings at a nursery to speed production.
4. Keep the soil moist. After about a week, the tiny bush basil plants emerge. Thin the bush basil when the plants have two leaves. Thin by pulling up the weakest or malformed plants. This allows the other plants more room to grow. Allow about 10 inches between bush basil plants.
5. Fertilize and nurture the bush basil. If planted in a pot, feed with a fertilizer meant for vegetable and herb plants. Fertilize a small amount every month. Water about once a week or when the soil is dry. Do not over water. Add mulch to outdoor bush basil plants to keep weeds out and water in.
6. Prune the bush basil. When flower buds form, pinch them off. Pinching is better than cutting; it promotes new growth. If flowers are allowed to bloom and mature, the branch will produce no more leaves.
7. Harvest as needed. The bush basil leaves are small so the harvest will not be as large as its bigger cousins. Pinch the leaves from the top of the plant and use immediately. Use in Italian, Greek or French dishes.

Tips & Warnings

• Since it is so easy to grow indoors, bush basil is a good choice for growing indoors during the winter. It will need a warm place with no cold drafts and a sunny window.
• Use a sprig or two of bush basil as a small centerpiece. It adds a fresh and appetizing aroma.
• Bush basil comes in a green leaf and a purple leaf variety. The purple leaf variety is pretty, but it may turn food an odd color.
• Always wash thoroughly bush basil leaves before using. Washing helps remove any soil contamination.

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