I have read a lot of gardening books over the years, and they all have great tips, but they are all a bit different. I couldn’t find a book that followed a plant from seed to harvest to dinner plate and taught the gardener what to do at every important step.
Beginning a basil seed, picking it, and enjoying it in a tasty meal are all things that this guide will show you. I hope that this basil growing guide makes you feel at ease and sure of yourself in your Mindful Garden. That way, you can spend more time enjoying the garden and less time worrying about whether it’s growing right.
You can always leave a question below, and we’ll answer it. If there’s something you’re not sure about or that we don’t cover, please do so.
Homegrown basil adds its signature flavor and fragrance to so many dishes. Getting this aromatic herb started from seed can be tricky though, with spotty and lengthy germination frustrating many gardeners. So could soaking those tiny seeds first help ensure robust basil plants? Let’s unravel the benefits, risks, and best practices for soaking basil seeds before planting.
Why Soak Seeds?
Soaking seeds before sowing, called pre-soaking or priming, is thought to offer several benefits:
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Faster germination: By jumpstarting the germination process, soaked seeds may sprout faster once planted. This gives seedlings a head start on the season.
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Higher germination rates Soaking can increase the percentage of seeds that ultimately germinate, resulting in more seedlings
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Uniform germination: Imbibing seeds helps synchronization so more seeds germinate at once versus over weeks or months.
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Stress resistance: Pre-soaked seeds may cope better with stresses like cold, heat, or drought after sprouting.
These potential perks make pre-soaking appealing for finicky basil. But does it really make a difference?
Does Soaking Improve Basil Germination Rates?
Studies offer conflicting evidence on whether soaking improves germination for basil Some data shows
- Soaking for 1-2 days significantly increased germination rate and uniformity.
- Soaking decreased time to sprout by up to 4 days compared to un-soaked seeds.
- Soaked seeds had higher resistance to salt stress and cooler temperatures.
However, other research found:
- Soaking seeds for up to 3 days did not improve final germination percentages or speed.
- The majority of soaked seeds actually sprouted 1-2 days later than un-soaked.
- Soaking for longer than 3 days decreased germination.
The effects seem to depend on the individual seed variety and precise soaking conditions. For challenging seeds like basil, a brief soak is unlikely to hurt and may help nudge more seeds to sprout.
Best Practices for Soaking Basil Seeds
If pre-soaking basil seeds, follow these tips for success:
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Use room temperature, de-chlorinated water. Avoid warm water which can cook seeds.
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Only soak seeds 24-48 hours. Longer soaking can damage seeds leading to rotten sprouts.
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Use a ratio of 2 parts water to 1 part seeds. Less water causes uneven soaking.
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Place seeds in a jar, bowl, or cup. Cover to limit evaporation and keep seeds submerged.
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Rinse seeds well after soaking to prevent mold growth. Gently pat dry before sowing.
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Sow soaked seeds immediately for the highest germination rates. Viability declines the longer seeds sit.
With the right technique, pre-soaking basil invigorates the seeds for a strong start once planted.
Sowing Soaked Basil Seeds
You’ve soaked those persnickety basil seeds – now what? Follow these tips for planting success:
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Fill starter pots or trays with seed starting mix. Tap firmly to compact.
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Sow seeds on the surface. Basil needs light to germinate so don’t bury seeds.
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Lightly water seeds daily to keep moist. Use a spray bottle to avoid dislodging.
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Cover trays with plastic wrap or dome lids to maintain humidity.
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Remove covers once sprouts emerge in 5-15 days. Thin seedlings 8-10 inches apart.
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Start hardening off basil 2 weeks before transplanting into the garden after the last frost.
With extra hydration from soaking, basil seeds will more uniformly and quickly sprout for a hearty start to the season.
Other Germination Tips for Basil
Besides pre-soaking, a few other tricks can boost basil seed germination:
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Refrigerate seeds for 5-7 days before sowing to mimic winter dormancy. Just be sure they are dry first.
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Gently scarify seeds by rubbing with sandpaper before soaking to allow water uptake. Don’t damage embryo though.
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Maintain warm soil temperatures of at least 70°F to stimulate germination. Use a heat mat if needed.
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Interplant basil seeds with quicker germinating lettuce or radish to mark rows and retain moisture.
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Start more seeds than you need! Germination rates are iffy with basil, so give yourself a buffer.
With extra nurturing, you can defy the finicky nature of basil from seed. A short soak combined with ideal growing conditions gives your basil crop the best beginning on the journey from seed to harvest.
DAY 84: BASIL ESTABLISHING INTO OUTDOOR GARDEN
From the seventh to fourteenth day after you move your basil plant, you should keep a close eye on it and the weather.
The roots just went through a pretty bad experience when they were moved, so we don’t expect to see a lot of new growth.
During this period, make sure the temperatures stay warm and that the plant is well watered. The best way to support traumatized roots is with water. To make sure your plant has enough water, just dig 1-2″ into the soil and check to see if it’s wet. If it is not, give it a healthy watering. I like to water the rest of my grow bags and then spray the top of the soil for 10 seconds. This gives the first spray 10 seconds to soak in. For bigger pots and raised beds, you can make this last longer so the water has more area to cover.
Seven days after the transplant, we will start to see the first signs of new growth. When you see these new growth signs, you’ll know that the roots of your basil plant have successfully adapted to the garden and are ready to grow very well.
DAY 56: HOW TO PRUNE BASIL
Basil is a small plant that likes it warm, so we can start them indoors a long time before we move them outside. Because of this, I actually do my first pruning while the plant is indoors.
This is one of the most critical parts of growing basil – proper pruning.
Ultimately, we want as many basil leaves as possible as thats what we harvest and eat. And to promote leaf production and foliage growth, we need to prune the basil plant.
Basil plants develop distinct nodes that new leaves will grow out of. Just above this node is where we should prune the plant. The stem will split into two new stems that will each grow new leaves. Throughout the season, we keep doing this, and the number of stems goes from one to two to four to eight to sixteen and more. This makes the basil plant very bushy, with lots of leaves to pick.
You’ll see in one of the next videos that this pruning immediately makes the plant bushier, and we’ll keep doing it every two weeks to get the most leaf growth.
How to Soak Seeds Before Planting : Seed Planting Tips
Should I soak basil seeds before planting?
Soaking your basil seeds before planting can help to soften the outer shell of the seed which can make it easier for moisture to penetrate inside. This process allows for quicker germination rates. How long should I soak my basil seeds?
How do you grow basil seeds in a container?
Soak the Seeds Place a small handful of basil seeds in a bowl of warm water and let them soak for about 8-12 hours. This helps soften the seed coat and promote germination. 3. Prepare the Container
How deep should basil seeds be planted?
Basil seeds are tiny, and should only be planted 1/4″ deep. Step 5: Add water to the seed trays – Since the seeds are so tiny, don’t try to water your flats by pouring it over the top. Doing that will likely displace the seeds. Instead, pour water into the tray, and allow the soil to soak it up from the bottom.
How do you germinate basil seeds?
To germinate basil seeds, start by sowing them indoors in soil or water. Alternatively, use a paper towel method. Ensure proper moisture and warmth for germination. After sprouting, transplant seedlings into larger containers. Monitor growth stages and provide adequate care for healthy basil plants.
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