What You Need To Know About Basil Growing Temperature

Basil plan is a type of herb that can be grown in many different climates. It is a famous herb used in the kitchen and it offers a lovely aroma and sweet flavor to our recipes. Basil growing temperature needs to be known for a better outcome or yield.

Basil herb can go well with different recipes such as pasta, salads, pizzas, Bloody Marys, Thai curries, and more. This herb is a warm-weathered plant that is easy to grow when you have the right knowledge. Even novice gardeners can find their way around growing this lovely herb.

With the ease it comes with growing basil plants, getting to know the ideal growing temperature of this plant is one thing to note if you plan on growing this plant.

Basil growing temperature is what we will be discussing in this article, so let’s begin.

Basil Growing Temperature

When it comes to the ideal basil growing temperature, basil has its preferences. Basil plants love a warm temperature as they will thrive well in warm temperatures.

Basil plant is native to tropical regions especially Central Africa and Southeast Asia. However, as of today, basil is widely cultivated in climates that are temperature such as the Mediterranean region. But the productivity of the basil herb is however not the same in the entire climate in which they are grown.

So, below is what you need to know about the basil growing temperature:

• Basil growing temperature is around 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant basil can still do well starting from 50 degrees Fahrenheit up to 90 degrees.
• However, once the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and the temperature starts to become chilly, the growth of the plant can become stunted.
• Therefore, this implies that basil plants are sensitive to cold and they can rapidly show signs of damage or even die off once the temperature goes down. Ensure you shield your basil plant from frost by moving them indoors if they are in containers or cover them if they are planted outdoors.
• So, always provide your plants with a warm and sunny spot so your basil plant can flourish optimally. Supply around 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day to help your basil plant. However, if your area gets very hot, it’s recommended you give your basil plant some shade in the afternoon.
• Also, if you want your basil plant to take off beautifully, ensure the soil and the air is slightly warm. So, when spring approaches, don’t be in a rush to put out your basil plant but ensure the outdoor environment is fairly warm.

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Basil Growing Season

From the above, it is only logical to deduce that the basil plant can only be grown during the heat of summer. The chilly winter season is not appropriate to grow basil because the plant can die and drop its seeds.

If you wish to grow the basil plat outdoors, it is best to commence seed indoors in the spring. Doing this can boost and jumpstart the growing season and you can avoid the risk of exposing your seedlings to freezing.

Then once the outdoor temperature is favorable (about 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit) you can go ahead and transplant the seedlings outdoors.

However, if the region you live in receives lots of sunlight and remains warm all through the year, then your basil could survive through the winter if you plant them outdoors year-round.

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Ways Of Preventing Damage Caused By Cold To Basil Plant

As we have stated, basil doesn’t like chilly or cold weather. So, it is recommended you avoid planting basil outdoors when the weather is cold.

However, there may be some periods where late spring and early fall ushers in unexpected chilly temperatures.

But your basil can still survive outdoors during this unexpected period of colds if they are just brief and don’t hit freezing temperatures. Also, you will need to take extra precautions during this unplanned frosty period and do things such as covering your basil plants. Then your basil can be safe.

The addition of mulch to the base of your plant is another way to minimize the cold effect and add a layer of insulation. Then if your basil is in containers, you should bring them indoors during chilly seasons. Also, you can aim to harvest your basil leave for your cooking before the risk of frost is close by.

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Other Requirement For Basil Growth

So, we have established that the basil plant thrives in warm climates. There are also other growing requirements to further improve or boost the successful growth of the basil plant. Some of them are:

• Watering Needs

Basil thrives well with moist soil but not too soggy soil. Therefore, try to water your basil adequately and don’t let the soil dry out.

If your basil is planted outdoors on the ground, you can put some mulch around the bottom of the plant. This is to further help in retaining moisture in the soil.

• Harvest More Often

If you want a large and bountiful harvest, you should harvest your basil more often. Harvesting more will improve the yield.

• Well Draining Soil

The soil of basil needs to be well-draining soil to flourish. This is to encourage good drainage. Therefore, if they are planted in containers, you should water them when needed.

Conclusion On Basil Growing Temperature

Basil growing temperature is a very crucial point to note when you are growing this plant. You can always enjoy a healthy and productive basil plant at a temperature of around 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

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