Pistou Basil - Ocimum basilicum

Sowing and maintenance:

Basil likes a fresh and loose soil, rich in humus. This plant also needs a semi-shaded exposure to grow well. Basil is sensitive to direct sunlight as it tends to burn the leaves. Basil can be grown in the vegetable garden, but it adapts very well to being grown in a pot in a conservatory or on a balcony.

Sowing: in spring, March, April and May, directly in place. Sow thinly in a flat furrow about 10 cm (4in) wide and 2 cm (1in) deep. The rows should be spaced 25 cm (10in) apart. Cover the seeds with the soil pushed aside along the furrow, then water. Germination takes between 10 to 15 days. As soon as the first plants appear, thin lightly. The more staggered the sowing, the longer the harvesting period will be. You can sow in a pot and then transplant as soon as the plant reaches 10 cm (4 to 6 leaves) tall. Basil can be kept in a pot in the kitchen if it is bright.

Maintenance: basil requires regular watering (or preventive mulching) when the soil dries out. It is the lack of water (water stress) that can cause basil to bolt. Pinch off the flower buds as soon as they appear to promote leaf production. Basil is susceptible to powdery mildew, grey rot, and aphids. To prevent rot and mildew, reduce watering and thin out the planting. For aphids, you can treat the plants with a mixture of water and olive oil.