A Beginner's Guide to Planting Basil in a Greenhouse

Basil contains many beneficial substances and can improve the taste of almost any dish. Its homeland is the tropics, but after spreading throughout the world, they learned to grow the plant in mid-latitudes. This became possible thanks to breeders who somewhat changed its climate requirements. It is best to grow a plant in a greenhouse, because there you can artificially create the most favorable conditions. We'll tell you when to sow and how to grow basil from seeds.

Features of greenhouse cultivation of basil

The greenhouse growing method allows you to protect the plant from various pests, makes it possible to stably maintain the optimal temperature (+23°...+28°C) and prevents the summer sun from burning the leaves. In a heated greenhouse, with timely feeding, basil receives nutrients all year round, which contributes to the rapid growth of lush greenery.

Variety selection

There is a wide variety of basil varieties, differing from each other in size, growth time, care requirements, leaf color, taste, etc.

The following varieties are grown in the greenhouse:

1. Violet. The leaves come in different shades. It is especially valued in Caucasian and Indian cuisine as a spicy, specific seasoning for various dishes and sauces.
2. Citric - a lush spreading bush of pale green color, the leaves of which smell like lemon.
3. Cinnamon - a small light green bush whose leaves have the taste and smell of ordinary cinnamon.
4. Camphor (fragrant) - a bright green lush bush exuding the aroma of cloves. Often used in Mediterranean cuisine.
5. Yerevan – an annual plant used as a universal seasoning for various dishes. It has wide green leaves.
6. Spoon-shaped has light green leaves of the appropriate shape. The taste of the seasoning resembles a cross between bay leaf and cloves. Used in meat dishes, complements tomatoes.
7. Baku similar to Yerevan, but has a dark colorpurple, almost black leaves. It tastes like a mixture of cloves and mint and is added to oriental dishes.

Timing for planting basil in a greenhouse

Basil can be planted in heated greenhouses at any time of the year, provided that it is possible to constantly maintain a stable temperature. If we are talking about an ordinary greenhouse, then the seedlings are planted in early April (in the south - in early March), and in open ground rescheduled one month after landings. You can plant seeds directly into greenhouse soil at the end of April. It is advisable that the greenhouse warms up by this time. In case of frost, the procedure should be postponed.

Greenhouse preparation

All debris in the greenhouse, including cobwebs and dust on artificial surfaces, is first removed, then disinfected.

Ground

The soil is renewed (at least its top layer), humus, peat and sand are added, mixed evenly and at the same time loosened the soil. Then the ground is treated with copper sulfate and fertilized with minerals. After this, the beds are made.

Planting material

Before sowing seedlings, the seeds are wrapped in gauze, washed with hot water (but not boiling water) and left in this form for a day. They will become covered with a slippery coating, which means they are ready for planting.

2 weeks before transferring the seedlings to open ground, gradually reduce the temperature in the room where the basil is growing. The soil is slightly moistened before planting.

How to properly plant basil in a greenhouse

Basil is planted in a greenhouse with seeds and seedlings.

Seeds

The beds are prepared in advance: they are moistened with warm water, and furrows are made up to 1 cm deep at a distance of 30 cm from each other. Place the seeds in the ground at a distance of 3-5 cm from each other. Cover them with film until the first shoots, which will appear in about 10 days. When the plants begin to develop, they are planted at a distance of 10 cm from each other.

Seedlings

Seedlings are planted in open ground 1-1.5 months after planting the seeds (the bushes should have several true leaves). Seedlings should be placed shallowly, at a distance of 10-20 cm - the more magnificent the bushes of a particular varieties, the larger it is.

What can you plant next to?

The best neighbors for basil are tomatoes and eggplants. In general, it adapts well to most vegetables.

Despite the loyalty of basil to its neighbors in the garden, some plants should not be planted nearby:

• cucumbers;
• cabbage;
• radish;
• radish;
• dill.

Further care

At growing basil The following parameters are important in a greenhouse:

1. Stable temperature. It can fluctuate between +23...+28°C, but the changes should not be sudden. It must not be allowed to fall below +15°C, otherwise the plants may die.
2. Watering. It is held once a week. You can pour water to each root separately or use a wide watering can - this is more convenient and faster. Take settled water at room temperature. The humidity in the room should not be higher than 70%, so sometimes the greenhouse is ventilated.
3. Weeding. Despite the greenhouse conditions, weeds can germinate here too. It is important to get rid of them in a timely manner. The soil is loosened after each watering.
4. Feeding. The procedure is carried out once every 2 weeks, using nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.
5. Cutting. The first harvest is carried out when the bushes reach 12-20 cm in height (depending on the variety). When the leaves grow to the desired size, they are cut off, leaving a couple of pieces untouched.

Features of planting in a heated greenhouse in winter

If the greenhouse has strong and heat-resistant walls, it is suitable for winter growing of basil. It is important to maintain a stable, suitable temperature, comply with watering conditions, increase the amount of fertilizing and install additional light sources. In winter, basil grows more slowly and has somewhat limp leaves. You need to pay closer attention to ventilation: the plant needs fresh air, but low temperatures and high humidity should not be allowed.

Conclusion

Growing basil in a greenhouse is easy. It does not require excessive care and expensive fertilizers. It can be grown at any time of the year if the greenhouse is properly equipped for the onset of cold weather. Basil fits well with most garden crops, so it is not necessary to make separate beds for it away from other seedlings.