Picking varieties
Genovese (the classic), Lemon basil, Thai basil.
Sowing
Sow shallow, about 0.5 cm deep, in small pots. Keep the soil moist and warm.
Care
Pinch off the flowers to keep the leaves coming. Water regularly.
Harvest & storage
Pick leaves often, preferably the top of each shoot. Use fresh or dry them. They also freeze well in ice cubes with olive oil.
From the log
Grows well with
Tomatoes Get the complete guide
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Join the Vegocracy newsletterStep-by-step notes for every stage — sowing depth, spacing, care and what to watch for.
What to think about when picking a variety for your own garden, not just which ones earned their place in mine.
Do's and don'ts — what worked, what I'd skip next time, and the mistakes worth avoiding.
Full sow, transplant and harvest calendar for basil.
The background knowledge behind the how-to — why it behaves the way it does, and what it actually needs.
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A friendly reminder: every garden plays by its own rules. Zones, soil, weather and a hundred small things decide what works — so this is how I did it and what worked for me, not a promise. Try, learn, adjust, try again.. that's half the fun anyway.
Also grows well in these combinations
Basil grows best with friends
This crop is part of one of my field-tested bed recipes — complete layouts with timing for every plant in the bed.
See all bed recipes