The Herb You Can Start In A Container This March

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When March arrives, our inner gardener is just itching to get out into the garden. It's probably a bit too cold yet (some of us still have snow on the ground), but we're anxiously anticipating the warmer weather of the outdoor planting season. For now, you can get started by growing this popular herb in a container indoors: basil.

Basil (Ocimum spp.) is a warm-weather herb that can't really be planted outdoors until the last frost has passed because its leaves can be damaged if the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. One of the spring garden prepping mistakes you'll want to avoid is trying to plant basil outdoors too early. Fortunately, basil plants are easy to grow indoors, which you can do about six to eight weeks before it's warm enough outside to transplant them into your outdoor garden, making March the perfect time to get started.

Are you ready to get your hands in some dirt? Begin by selecting a clear working area. If you want, you can DIY a mess-free garden potting station, then gather all your supplies. You'll need a small pot that's about 4 inches deep and has drainage holes on the bottom. You'll also need potting mix and basil seeds, along with a few optional (but helpful) gardening tools like a small hand trowel, gloves, and a watering can.

Once you have all your supplies ready, take enough soil from the bag to fill your pot and add a bit of water to the mix. It shouldn't be too wet or too dry, but just moist to the touch. Fill the pot with soil to about ¼ inch from the top. You can use the hand trowel to scoop the soil or improvise with a small cup. Then drop a few basil seeds into the pot and cover with a thin layer of soil, pressing down gently if needed to get the seeds deep enough, aiming for about twice their own thickness in depth. Add a bit more water if the soil has dried out during the planting process.

Place your newly planted seeds in a sunny windowsill on a plant saucer or drip tray to catch any moisture that flows through the drainage holes. Your basil starts will need to get at least six hours of sunlight each day, so you might need to move the pots around the house to follow the sunlight. To avoid common mistakes everyone makes when growing basil, like under- or overwatering, plan to water your basil twice a week, using a gentle method like misting or sprinkling. 

You should see your seeds begin to germinate in about eight to 14 days. When the plants have grown to at least 6 inches tall, which can take four to six weeks, they are ready to be transplanted into your outdoor garden as long as the danger of frost has passed in your area.