How to grow basil in open ground in the Moscow region

Basil transforms any dish with its unique aroma. The plant is native to South Asia, so it loves light and warmth. Such demands on light and temperature conditions do not mean that the crop is not suitable for cultivation in central Russia. Get good harvest It will work in greenhouses and even on the windowsill.

To ensure that open ground plantings do not suffer from capricious weather, the seedling method is used. It allows the plant to grow stronger in favorable conditions, and with the arrival of stable heat, “move” to a permanent bed.

The best varieties of basil for the Moscow region

In the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation there are no recommendations for zoning for vegetable basil. However, common sense and the experience of gardeners suggests that cold-resistant early varieties are suitable for the agroclimatic conditions of central Russia varieties, the period from full germination to ripening takes 20–45 days.

These varieties are sown in open ground:

1. Pearl of the Moscow Region - introduced in 2013, the greenery has an unusual aroma, with notes of lilac. The stem is long, erect. Leaves of mixed anthocyanin color. The weight of one plant is 370 g. The yield is 3.5–4 kg per 1 m².
2. In memory of Yuri Fadeev - one of the youngest varieties, included in Rosreestr in 2017. High-yielding (4–5.5 kg/m²). The bush is medium-sized, the color of the leaves is dark green with purple areas. Clove aroma. Suitable for growing without seedlings, resistant to cold, drought and moisture stagnation.
3. Pepper aroma - medium-high variety with purple leaves. Plant weight - 200 g. Productivity - 3.8–4.2 kg/m².
4. Flavorful goulash — basil of the Ural selection, included in the register in 2019. The plant is of medium height and anthocyanin color. Clove aroma. Bush weight - 380 g, yield - 4.2 kg/m².
5. Delight — high yield (4.8 kg/m²). Due to its strong foliage, the weight of one plant reaches 500 g. The leaves are smooth, dark purple, and have a clove aroma.
6. lemon - a green-leaved variety of medium height. Rich lemon aroma. Productivity - 2.7 kg/m². One bush weighs up to 530 g. Basil ripens in 45-55 days.

Mid-ripening basil is suitable for growing through seedlings (50–70 days from germination to economic suitability):

1. Moskvoretsky Semko - produces compact bushes up to 40 cm high. The leaves and stems are purple. Plant weight is 180–280 g, yield is 1.5–2.5 kg/m². The variety is valued for its decorative appearance and strong clove aroma.
2. Marquis - cold-resistant variety. Semi-spreading, highly branched plant, about 25 cm tall. The leaves are small elliptical, green in color. Clove-pepper aroma. Productivity - 1.5 kg/m², bush weight - 150 g.
3. Velvet - low bush, up to 30 cm in height. The leaves are dark green, with a menthol aroma. Although the weight of the bush reaches 350 g, the yield is average: about 2 kg/m².

Vegetable growers, Those who want to grow basil with an unusual aroma will appreciate anise varieties (Aniskin, Ararat), Pomegranate Nutmeg with a nutmeg-pepper scent, Vanilla, Caramel and Cinnamon, the names of which speak for themselves.

How to grow basil from seeds to seedlings

Considering the changeable climate of the Moscow region, the high risk of return frosts and insufficiently fertile soil, the most growing basil effectively seedling method. It is undesirable to plant seeds directly in open ground, since sudden changes in air temperature and stagnation of water in the soil will destroy the crop.

To increase the germination of seed material, it is kept in a warm place for 2 weeks. For disinfection, use a solution of potassium permanganate: seeds are soaked in it for 20–30 minutes.

Sowing begins about 2 months before planting in the garden. For the Moscow region, the estimated date is the end of March.

Soil and container for seedlings

Basil loves loose and nutritious soil.. Several options for soil mixtures are optimal for growing spicy herbs:

1. Rotted manure, peat, washed sand in a ratio of 2:4:1.
2. Peat, garden soil, humus in equal parts. They are sifted and disinfected in a water bath or in dry heat.

To increase the nutritional value of the soil, it is sprayed with planting solution.: ½ tsp each potassium sulfate, potassium chloride, urea and superphosphate per 5 liters of water.

Attention! Another important condition is good drainage, since basil does not tolerate stagnant water. An unpleasant consequence of excessively wet soil is rotting of the roots of seedlings. Therefore, vermiculite, perlite, expanded clay, gravel, crushed brick or sand are placed at the bottom of the container.

Used for growing seedlings containers at least 10–15 cm deep, since the plant has a developed root system:

• general container: wooden boxes, cut 5 liter canisters and plastic bottles;
• single containers: peat tablets, pots, 500 ml plastic cups.

To prevent seedlings from stretching out from lack of light and heat, think through the additional lighting and heating system in advance. Basil requires approximately 16 hours of light per day.

Sowing algorithm

To grow seedlings:

1. The prepared soil mixture is moistened with warm water.
2. Basil seeds are sown on the surface and sprinkled with a small layer of soil, thus deepening them by 0.5–1 cm. This way they will “hatch” faster, and only after emergence of seedlings soil is sprinkled around the stems.
3. Using a sprayer, the soil is moistened again with settled water at room temperature.
4. Containers for seedlings are covered with film or glass.

Further care consists of:

• daily ventilation: remove the film for 20–30 minutes and remove the formed condensate;
• maintaining the temperature regime: +20...+25°C - before sprouting (this will take about a week), +16...+20°C - after (so the sprouts will not stretch);
• moistening as the soil dries;
• thinning: leave 7 cm between plants (seedlings dive when they reach 5 cm);
• fertilizing: 10 days after picking, water the soil with a nutrient solution (2 g of ammonium nitrate, 2–4 g of wood ash and 4 g of superphosphate per 1 liter of water);
• hardening in the fresh air at a temperature not lower than +5°C (start 2 weeks before planting in open ground).

When growing seedlings, there is a high risk of developing blackleg.. Signs of a fungal disease: darkening of the base of the stem, thinning of the root collar, lethargy of the aerial part. This occurs due to dense plantings, sudden temperature changes, excessive moisture and watering with cold water. Therefore, it is important to protect the seedlings from drafts, and to use settled warm water for watering. For prevention, the ground is sprinkled with wood ash mixed with sand.

Planting in open ground in the Moscow region

When the threat of frost has passed, the prepared seedlings are planted in a permanent place.: open bed or greenhouse.

When to plant

Disembarkation times depend on several factors:

• seedlings should have 4–6 true leaves - younger shoots are too weak, and when replanting more mature plants there is a high risk of damaging the root system;
• the soil is warmed up to +14…+16°C.

Approximate dates for the middle zone - late May - early June. Even if sudden cold snaps are expected even during this period, temporary shelters are installed or planting is postponed. In the latter case, the shoots are pinched above 6–8 leaves.

Advice! For planting, choose a cloudy day so as not to dry out the plant.

Transfer rules

When choosing a location on the site, take into account:

1. Soil quality. Basil prefers nutrient-rich, loose soil with a neutral pH. Black soil is ideal, but in the Moscow region, loam and sandy loam will do. The beds are dug up in advance, weeds are removed and fertilizers are applied: humus, manure, peat. Sand will help lighten heavy soil, and lime will help deoxidize it.
2. Crop rotation. Favorable predecessors: legumes, cucumber, tomato, potato, winter grains. Basil is planted in the same place no earlier than every 2-3 years to avoid infection with fusarium.
3. Abundance of sunshine and protection from strong winds.

Culture is used in joint plantings: it gets along well with legumes, tomatoes, sweet peppers, zucchini, and lettuce. The proximity to spicy herbs protects these crops from insect pests: aphids, spider mites, leaf beetles and others.

Recommended scheme for growing basil in open ground — 15–25×30 cm. Plant the plant in moist, heated soil to a depth equal to the individual seedling container. The roots should not clump or curl.After planting, each bush is watered with warm water and mulched with a layer of humus or dry earth.

How to care for basil

If the seedlings are grown correctly and take root in an open garden bed, caring for basil won't cause any trouble. It is enough to water it in a timely manner, feed the plant from time to time and loosen the soil.

Watering

Basil needs regular but not excessive watering. warm water as the soil dries. The soil should be moderately moist, since the crop does not tolerate drying out of the soil or stagnant water. The best time to moisturize is in the evening.

Weeding and loosening

To prevent the formation of a crust on the soil surface, which prevents the access of oxygen and moisture, loosening is carried out after each watering. At the same time, weeds are removed, as they shade the plantings and interfere with the full absorption of nutrients.

Reference! Once a week, the bed is sprinkled with wood ash to prevent blackleg, fusarium and gray rot.

Top dressing

Basil responds well to fertilizers. Nitrogenous fertilizers contribute to the growth of green mass. Phosphorus and potassium maintain high levels of essential oil in the leaves, which is responsible for the spicy taste and aroma of the plant.

Used for feeding:

• nitrophoska - 2 tbsp. l. for 10 water, for treatment 1 m² plantings will take 5 liters of solution;
• urea (carbamide) - 1 tbsp. l. for 10 liters of water.

The first feeding is carried out 10–15 days after planting plants in open ground, subsequent ones - every month.

If the soil has been properly fertilized with organic matter, they can do without mineral fertilizers.. Regular pinching of the top (after 5–7 strong leaves appear on the stem and side branches) increases the splendor of the bush much more effectively. This stimulates the emergence of new shoots.If inflorescences form, they are also removed, otherwise the bush will quickly wither.

Conclusion

With proper care, summer heat and sun are quite enough for growing basil in the Moscow region. They enjoy the fragrant greens right up to the autumn frosts, and if you dig the bush out of the garden bed and replant it in a pot, it will overwinter well on the windowsill.