The Easiest Herb To Grow For Beginners Is Perfect For Your Kitchen Counter

If you are new to growing your own crops, it can be tempting to dive into the deep end and pick unusual plants that you can't get at your local store. Or maybe you just want to grow your favorites but they're a little trickier to grow at home. Like any hobby, gardening usually works out best when you start small and simple. For beginners, herbs are always a great place to start, and one of the best is basil (Ocimum basilicum). A staple ingredient in many cuisines around the world, basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow. Although it can be grown outside in warmer climates, basil does wonderfully when grown inside on kitchen counters and window sills. 

Growing a kitchen herb garden is a great option for those who have limited outdoor space or live in colder regions. Although basil is a tender annual that will not live for more than a year, keeping it indoors will allow you to extend its growing season. It also means you won't need to worry about digging it up and bringing it in when the weather gets cooler. 

You can buy basil as small plants at gardening centers (and sometimes even grocery stores), but it is also one of the easiest herbs to grow from seed. If you are opting for seeds, plant them 1/8 inch deep in a potting mix. Ensure you are using well-draining containers with enough holes to prevent your basil from getting waterlogged. Basil plants germinate best in soil that is 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and it may be useful to use a propagator or clear plastic bag to help them stay warm. Once the basil seedlings have appeared, you can remove the propagator or bag, and place them in a warm, bright spot. 

Basil plants need six to eight hours of bright sunlight a day, so need an ideal sunny spot for it on your kitchen counters. As most herbs need this amount of sunlight, a space for your herb garden near the window is perfect. It is also important to think about the temperature. Basil will not survive temperatures lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, so you might not be able to place it on windowsills in the winter months. Once you have found the perfect spot for your basil, make sure you keep it watered and never let the soil dry out. It is also helpful to give it some feed every few weeks using a small dose of water-soluble fertilizer. 

Harvesting your basil regularly will promote new growth, so ensure you are taking leaves throughout the growing season. You should also pinch off any flowers on your basil, as allowing them to grow will shorten the plant's growing season. When your basil plant is coming to an end, you can let it go to seed and harvest the seeds for next year, allowing the small herb garden in your kitchen to flourish season after season!