Growing Tips for Holy Basil Seed

  

Holy Basil is easy to grow from seed, or you can buy it as a nursery-grown plant at Lowes or other garden centers. I grow my basil herbs in raised garden beds or containers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grow them in the ground.

The herb holy basil, also known as Tulsi, has many health benefits. In the past, I have harvested holy basil leaves for tea. Drinking two cups of tea daily was a great way to relax and unwind and boost my immune system. You can also cook with this basil; it will add a delicious flavor to many foods.

 

Here’s a step-by-step guide for growing Holy Basil

• You will need the following
• Holy Basil seeds
• Seed starter soil mix
• Seed trays with covers or containers
• Plastic wrap
• Watering can / spray bottle
• A sunny window for indoor growing or a grow light.

Plan to start your Holy basil seeds indoors in early spring to protect them from a late spring frost.

Fill the seed trays or containers with seed-starter soil mix or potting soil.

Use a water sprayer to moisten the soil. The soil should be moist but not muddy.

Sow your basil seeds by sprinkling them lightly on the soil surface.

Use your index finger to press the seeds into the soil.  Do not cover the seeds with soil, as the seeds need light to germinate.

Water your newly planted seeds with a spray bottle.  Mist the soil lightly so that the soil is moist.

Set the seed tray in a sunny location, by a window or under a grow light. Put the plastic cover on the seed tray or wrap the trays or containers with plastic wrap. (The cover will help maintain humidity, which is needed for germination.)

 

Holy basil seeds will germinate indoors where the average temperature is 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.   Seedlings will be healthy if they get 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily.  

Your seedlings should emerge in about 7 to 14 days.  Once they germinate, you would remove the plastic covering.

Keep the soil moist and continue to provide light and warmth to your seedlings.

When the threat of late spring frost has passed and your seedlings have a few leafy branches, transplant them outdoors. You can grow in a raised garden bed, containers, or in the ground.

*AI generated watercolor images created by Susang6

Growing Peppermint From Seed

Peppermint herb is aromatic as it has high menthol content. The leaves of the peppermint are bright green and are pointed; the peppermint produces a flower in mid to late summer that attracts bees and butterflies.  Mint looks wonderful grown in masses and it can also be grown in a container.  I like to grow peppermint in containers .  I arrange assorted sizes of containers and set them on my patio and along my gravel path.  The aromatic peppermint  repels mosquitoes and other flying insects and it freshens the air.  Peppermint is also a good way to repel stray cats.

Many people grow peppermint for it medicinal properties; peppermint is a natural treatment for indigestion, heartburn, headache, nausea and the oil of the peppermint will heal acne.  You can also use peppermint to sweeten beverages , and to garnish many culinary dishes.  The benefits of peppermint are many so it is wise to plant some peppermint seeds in your garden or indoors on a sunny southern exposed windowsill garden.

Peppermint flowers by: work by Wikipedia

Growing Peppermint from Seed

Decide if you want to grow peppermint from seed or from a nursery grown plant.  Seeds must be started indoors 7 to 8 weeks prior to the last spring frost.  Plant seeds in fertile soil.  Set the seeds onto of the soil and then press the seeds into the soil with the eraser of a pencil.  Plant the seed one inch below the soil line.  Water so that the soil is evenly moist but not wet.  Set the container next to a sunny window with party shade in the heat of the day.  Watch the soil so that it does not dry out.  Peppermint prefers evenly moist soil that is well drained.  Peppermint will not grow well in wet soil. Wet soil will kill peppermint.

Planting tips for Peppermint

A nursery grown peppermint should be planted outdoors after the danger of frost as past.  Choose a garden site that has full sun to part sun and soil that is fertile and well drained.  Clear the growing site by removing the sod and working the soil with a tiller or with a shovel.  Mix the soil with organic compost or manure.  Dig a hole that is the same depth as the nursery container.  Set the peppermint plant in the center of the hold and back fill the soil.   Allow 18 inches in-between plants.  Water newly planted peppermint.

Care for Peppermint:

• Keep roots cool by adding a pine bark mulch or leaf mulch around the peppermint.
• Water mint at the soil line in the morning and keep the soil evenly moist.
• Peppermint will bloom in mid to late summer
• Divide and transplant in the spring to prevent overcrowding.
• For small yards or apartments grow peppermint in a container and set next to a southern exposed window or under a grow light.
• Watch for rust; patches of orange red on the back of the leaves.  Remove all rust infected plants and get rid of them.  Watering mint in evening will cause rust so don’t do it.

 

Learn more about growing mint here: