Planting Basil can be a very rewarding experience. It is an annual herb. If you want to get a head start on your basil, plant the seeds about 6 weeks before the last frost date for your area. You can set them near a sunny window for best results. The seeds take about 5-15 (depending on what seeds you have) to germinate. You will want to plant them about 1/8-1/4 inch deep in the soil. They will grow to about 18-24 inches high.
After the danger of frost, transplant your seedlings to an outdoor area, about 10 inches apart. You will want them to be about 3 inches tall. If you have no seedlings, now is the time to plant your seeds directly into the soil. You can thin out your plants as they grow to about 3 inches. Grows well in pots.
Tip, pinch back flowers to encourage more leaf growth. Begin to harvest all but 2 or 3 leaves at the base of the branch before flowers bloom.
Preserve leaves by drying or freezing, if you have to many to use fresh as an ingredient.
Enjoy!
