Q: Can basil be grown indoors?

A: Yes! Basil can absolutely be grown indoors as long as it receives enough sunlight (at least six hours per day) or artificial light if needed. The best part? You can enjoy fresh basil year-round without worrying about frost damage.

Q: How often should I water my basil plants?

A: If you're growing your basil outdoors in a garden bed or pot with well-draining soil, you'll want to keep it consistently moist but not soggy. A good rule of thumb is to water deeply once or twice a week depending on weather conditions. If you're growing your basil indoors, check your soil regularly and give it a sip of…

Q: My basil is flowering – what do I do?

A: When you see flowers starting to form on your basil plant, pinch them off immediately. This causes the plant to put energy back into leaf production instead of blooming flowers which can lead to bitter-tasting leaves.

Q: What pest control methods work best for keeping bugs away from my basil plants?

A: If possible, try planting garlic or onions nearby since their strong scent helps deter pests from neighboring areas. Additionally, spraying diluted neem oil on the leaves every few weeks works wonders at preventing aphids and whiteflies from making themselves comfortable on your precious plants.

Q: What's the ideal temperature range for growing healthy basil plants?

A: Basil thrives between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and about 10 degrees cooler at night. If temperatures climb too high (90+ degrees), your basil may wilt, yellow or even die back.

Q: Can I harvest my basil plant anytime?

A: Yes! You can clip off individual leaves as soon as there are enough to use in a recipe without jeopardizing the overall health of the plant. However, if you constantly prune from one section, it's best to switch up where you're cutting so that no part becomes overcrowded with new growth.