Practical advice on growing basil in a greenhouse

Basil is very appreciated for an incredible amount of useful properties. This spice is even called "royal grass" for refinement, unique bitter - sweet taste, high content of essential oils and a unique aroma.

Despite the fact that this plant is the birthplace of tropical countries, breeders were able to accustom him to the Russian climate.

You can grow basil not only in the open field, but also in the apartment on the windowsill, as well as in the greenhouse.

Greenhouse growing method

Basil grows well in greenhouses, and you can grow it even in winter (in a heated structure). The greenhouse growing method has many advantages:

• The plant is not attacked by various pests.
• Reliable protection against temperature extremes.
• Basil is rapidly gaining green mass.
• In a heated greenhouse you can constantly provide yourself with vitamins.

Which varieties are best suited?

The following varieties are best suited for growing under greenhouse conditions:

• Purple basil - It is very appreciated in Caucasian and Indian cuisine as a seasoning for sauces, side dishes, meat dishes and desserts. The leaves can be of different shades: from pale purple to deep dark purple.
• Cinnamon - a compact plant with leaves of light green color, possesses taste and aroma of cinnamon.
• Citric - bush sprawling with magnificent foliage of a light green shade and aroma of a lemon.
• Camphor - very beautiful plant with bright green foliage, exudes a pleasant clove aroma. This variety is most popular in Mediterranean cuisine.

Time

Basil in the greenhouse can be planted with seedlings, and can be sown with seeds, but when is it best to plant it? In the southern regions it is possible to plant seedlings under a special rack in early March, in the middle lane it is possible in late March - early April. Seeds can be sown in the middle or end of April. Greenhouse by this time enough to warm the sun.

How to prepare a greenhouse construction?

Depending on the region, on its climatic conditions depend on the requirements for greenhouse construction. For example, greenhouses made of glass or cellular polycarbonate are ideal for the central regions of Russia for early planting of basil. These materials transmit light and retain heat well.

The size of the greenhouse can be absolutely anything, because apart from basil, other cultures can be grown there at the same time. It is best to locate the structure in a sunny place, away from large trees. Be sure to provide vents, as not to do without airing.

Preparing the greenhouse for the new season should start in the autumn:

1. Clear from plant debris.
2. Rinse all surfaces, clean the cobwebs (if any), treat with disinfectant.
3. Partially replace the soil (you can remove the top layer and add humus, peat and sand) and dig up everything. The soil must be loose!

Next spring we need such actions:

1. Loosen the soil, process copper sulfate.
2. Add mineral fertilizers (complex).
3. To form ridges

Step by step instructions: how to plant?

Seeds

For good germination of basil seeds they need to be properly processed. Each seed of this plant is protected by a unique shell of essential oils, which is capable of dissolving only in a favorable environment. therefore Before landing, it is worth doing the following manipulations:

1. Wrap the seeds in a cloth, pour hot water (about 50 - 60 degrees). Squeeze out excess water.
2. Wrap everything in a plastic bag and put in a warm place (not less than 25 degrees Celsius) for about 30 minutes.
3. Expand, the seeds should be covered with a slippery bloom (oils dissolve), then they can be sown in the prepared soil.

When sowing seeds, you must follow a certain order:

1. Prepared from autumn soil (or filled containers) shed with warm water.
2. Make grooves with a depth of 0.5 cm to 1 cm at a distance of 30 cm from each other.
3. Sow the seeds, leaving about 3 - 5 cm between them and mulch. Containers can be covered with foil.
4. Approximately in 10 days shoots will appear. As soon as 2 true leaves grow, the extra plants should be removed, the distance between them should be about 10 cm.

Seedlings

Preparation of seedlings before planting on a permanent place is as follows:

• The temperature gradually decreases (it is necessary to begin to decrease 2 weeks before disembarking).
• To produce watering with warm water (not pereuvlazhnyat).

When planting seedlings the rules are as follows:

1. Planted should be about a month after sowing the seeds (but not more than 45 days), while the bush should be 4 - 6 of these leaves.
2. Strongly deepen plants do not need. Between rows, leave a gap of about 30 - 35 cm, and between bushes - about 10 - 20 cm (depending on the variety).

Care

To get a rich harvest of basil you need to properly care for, you need to create suitable comfortable conditions for it:

• Temperature. Basil develops well at a temperature of 23 to 28 degrees. At temperatures below 15 degrees, he may die.
• Watering. It will be enough watering once a week. The most convenient way to do this is a watering can with a wide spray or use drip irrigation.
• Weeding and loosening. Be sure to remove weeds from the beds (periodic weeding or manually). The plant is very responsive to loosening the soil.
• Humidity. Re-wetting should not be allowed. If necessary, the greenhouse needs to be aired, but no drafts can be created; they can do much harm.
• Feeding. After the first cut, be sure to water the plants well and fertilize. You can use an aqueous solution of chicken manure or urea. Next, you should apply fertilizer after each cut.
• Cut. When the bushes reach a height of 20 cm, you can make the first harvest, that is, cut (shears or a sharp knife), while you need to leave penechki with two leaves.
  With one square meter per season, you can get 2 - 7 kg of useful aromatic herbs.

Do I need to do additional heating?

Additional heating will be required for year-round use of the greenhouse or in early spring. You can use infrared heaters, stove heating or convector.

How fast is growing?

Basil grows rather quickly in greenhouse conditions, much faster than in open ground, because in the greenhouse, protection from natural disasters and temperature drops is guaranteed.

Best neighborhood

What next can you plant greens? Basil is excellent with many garden plants, but It is best to plant this spice next to eggplants or tomatoes.

Bad neighborhood

The following cultures will be his bad neighbors:

• Dill.
• Marjoram.
• Cabbage.
• Cucumbers.
• Radish.
• Ruta.
• Radish

As a result, we can conclude that growing basil in a greenhouse is a snap. Even novice gardeners get an excellent harvest, you only need to create suitable conditions for it: prepare the soil properly, observe the temperature and watering regimes, fertilize and loosen in a timely manner. This royal grass is very responsive to attention and care and will surely please with a bountiful harvest, its beauty and aroma.

Watch the video: Indoor gardening with hydroponics (December 2024).