Basil prefers a sunny area.
Speed up the growing cycle of basil by creating a environment where the plant thrives. Basil, an herb from the mint family, is a plant that you can grow inside or outside depending on the weather conditions of your area. While the plant thrives indoors in a sunny window, you can also start the seeds inside in late winter and move the plant outdoors once the weather warms in late spring. The plant will continue to grow fast when provided with adequate light, water and fertilizer. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Moisten seed-starting soil with water so it feels like a damp sponge to promote seed germination and growth. Add the moist soil to a 2-inch diameter container with bottom drainage holes.
2. Sprinkle the basil seeds on top of the soil so they are spaced about 1/2-inch apart. Sprinkle a 1/4-inch-layer of seed-starting soil on top of the seeds. Leave the soil loose on top of the seeds so the young plants can sprout quickly through the soil.
3. Cover the container with a piece of clear plastic wrap to create a greenhouse environment that speeds the germination process.
4. Move the growing containers to a sunny area and remove the plastic covering once the sprouts pop through the soil. Mist the soil as it begins to dry to provide moisture for fast growth.
5. Apply a liquid houseplant fertilizer mixed to one-half strength once the sprouts are about 1-inch-tall to stimulate strong and fast growth. Repeat the fertilizer application every two weeks.
6. Thin the basil sprouts by snipping off weak or crowded sprouts at the soil level to limit competition for sunlight, water and nutrients for fast plant growth.
7. Pinch the top off tall basil plants once they reach 6 to 8 inches tall. This promotes branch growth for a compact plant that produces many basil leaves.
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