Basil Broadleaf
Basil Broadleaf
Is there a balcony or courtyard without a basil? I do not think! Even in the windows of the houses, we place small pots of basil to give us its rich aroma. Basil is undoubtedly the most popular aromatic plant in Mediterranean cuisine. Especially the broad-leaf varieties of basil, are a key ingredient in salads, sauces and many cooking recipes. We plant basil in a pot, so we can cut its leaves fresh whenever we need them! We avoid the southern exposure which has a lot of sunshine and very high temperatures. Strong midday sun rays in the summer season will cause severe burns to basil foliage. During the winter season, we will need to protect the basil from strong north winds and frost. If the place where we have the basil is exposed, we should use a special anti-wind protection fabric. For growing basil on the balcony, choose a round pot 1-2 sizes larger than the pot we bought it from the nursery. If we choose perennial (holy) basil, we must keep in mind that it grows quickly and will need more frequent transplants.
Be careful with the water! Basil will need regular watering in the pot, especially in the summer months, every 1-2 days. But, in any case, we should first find that the soil in the basil pot dries out and then water again. Overwatering basil causes yellowing of the leaves and blackening of the stems. And as for its “food”, basil has moderate fertilizer requirements. We incorporate well-digested manure or organic fertilizer for aromatic plants, once a month in spring and autumn, to ensure its rich and green foliage.