How to Grow and Use Herbs
Growing Asian Basil in Your Backyard

Growing Asian Basil in Your Backyard

Many people who have a passion for gardening also have a passion for growing herbs right in their backyard. Indeed, growing herbs on your own certainly saves a lot of money and convenience in case you are in sudden need of a culinary herb to spice up your ordinary dish. For some, growing herbs are do not only save time and money—it earns profits as well.

Many people who are not familiar with gardening think that growing herbs and plants on their own is difficult. Indeed, there are many plants that are hard to tend to because they need a lot of attention. Fortunately, growing herbs, especially asian basil, is a lot easier than it sounds.

Asian basil, a tropical variety of basil, is often included in Asian cuisines, although it is slowly making its way to the average Western meals. Asian basil is known to survive any kind of climate that experiences. For one, it thrives on lots of sunshine and adequate amounts of water, thereby making it harvestable for all throughout the year. For colder areas, Asian basil can survive the cold weather but harvest time is seasonal.

Asian basil has deep green leaves, although the size is smaller than and not as round as the ordinary Western basil. The stems are of purplish color, and they are topped with reddish flower buds. The leaves and flowers of the asian basil exude a strong aromatic scent that has a trace of anise and licorice in it.

Growing herbs such as asian basil requires a rich, fertile soil bed to get nutrients from. Add adequate water to the soil to make it damp, and mix the two the soil underneath gets plenty of air. Make sure that the soil is free form weeds and contains enough compost.

The next step in growing asian basil is to sow the seeds on the soil bed as scattered as you can. The sowing must begin right after the danger of the frost has passed, namely more than 60 degrees Fahrenheit during nighttime. The seeds should be no deeper than a quarter of an inch form the surface of the soil. Press the seeds using the palm of your hand to aid in germination. When the seedlings have sprouted into leaves, try thinning the leaves so that they are apart and can grow very well.

The water for growing herbs must be distributed along the soil bed properly. When the plant has grown into 6 inches, pinch off the tips of the stems to encourage bushier leaves. Flowers should also be pinched out as soon as buds disappear, as they discourage leaf growth.

As soon as the herb grows healthy leaves and bushy stems, it is ready to pick out those young asian basil leaves. Indeed, growing herbs, particularly culinary herbs such as asian basil can be easy and rewarding.

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