Sweet Basil Plant - Should It Be Moist Or Dry? Please Help!!
By schulzie
@schulzie (4061)
United States
March 5, 2009 6:12pm CST
I have a question for all you gardeners out there. I am just now attempting to grow some herbs for the first time and I just bought a new Sweet Basil plant. I bought this plant because I cook a lot of Italian dishes and I know that fresh Basil tastes delicious as a topping on Bruschetta, or other dishes and I can also cook with it.
My question is, how moist should I keep the soil? When I bought it it was in a peat pot and very moist. The plant was very perky and lively. I just re-potted my plant yesterday and it still looks the same as when I bought it. The point is that my plant still looks as good as it did when I bought it and I would like very much for it to stay that way.
I read the care instructions on the stake that came in the plant but all it says is that it should have 6 + hours of sun per day. It is getting that - it's no problem as I live in South Florida. However I just want to make sure that I don't make the soil too soggy and it rots or too dry and it dries up.
Thanks so much for your comments and help in my discussion!
Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!
I read the care instructions on the stake that came in the plant but all it says is that it should have 6 + hours of sun per day. It is getting that - it's no problem as I live in South Florida. However I just want to make sure that I don't make the soil too soggy and it rots or too dry and it dries up.
Thanks so much for your comments and help in my discussion!
Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!
2 people like this
6 responses
@GardenGerty (157946)
• United States
29 Mar 09
Let it dry out between waterings, not stand it in water. It will go a little limp if it gets too dry, but will perk back up. I do not know anything that wants to be wet all of the time.
2 people like this
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
30 Mar 09
I have been watering it about every other day and just making sure to keep the soil moist. It has been growing really well. I actually have made a baby plant from it already and am starting another one. I am amazed at it.
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
2 people like this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
6 Mar 09
Hope this is of some help! Went straight to my Rodales Encylopedia of Herbs and for Basil it says; Basil likes well-drained, rich soil. It will grow best if well rotted manure or manure compost is mixed with the soil before planting. It is best to mulch Basil to keep it moist...and to store heat. Basil likes warm roots!
To encourage a bushy plant, keep pruning Basil. Before it flowers, cut the main steam from the top, leaving at least one node with two young shoots. Thereafter, cut the branches every two or three weeks.
Hope this is of some help! I grow lots of Basil, in the ground...but I do not plant it where it gets direct midday sun...and your midday sun in Florida is hot!
Cheers!
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
6 Mar 09
Thanks so much for that bit of information. I planted it in Miracle Gro and it is the moisture control version of the potting soil. I am hoping it will do fine. I will just make sure the soil is always moist to the touch I think.
By the way, here is a picture of my plant that I had inserted into my original post. I don't know why the picture didn't get included with it in the first place.
Thanks again for your comment and happy myLotting!!!
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (171419)
• United States
6 Mar 09
I like basil but dont really know how to grow it that well. I mixed it up with some weeds so that it was hard to identify. I like all of the italian herbs. I think it is fairly easy to grow. I didn't have any trouble growing it last year. I used it in spaghetti sauces and other products. It was quite delicious.
1 person likes this
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
6 Mar 09
I like basil and oregano the best myself. I think my next plant will be some oregano! 
We cook a lot of Italian food here so I know I will be using this poor plant. I just hope it can keep up with me.
Thanks for your comment and happy myLotting!!!
We cook a lot of Italian food here so I know I will be using this poor plant. I just hope it can keep up with me.
Thanks for your comment and happy myLotting!!!
1 person likes this
@soyporteno (406)
• United States
6 Mar 09
I believe it is supposed to be moist rather than dry. Otherwise it would be a dried herb!
Get it? Ok, but seriously I do believe you need to keep the soil slightly damp at all times.
Get it? Ok, but seriously I do believe you need to keep the soil slightly damp at all times.
@AJAndrews (5)
• United States
10 Jul 09
I usually go by the rule that they soil should be moist enough that only a drop or two comes out of it when squeezed, but never ever soggy. If you stick your finger just below the surface of the soil and it feels damp and cool, then you are probably okay. Finding that middle ground between wet and dry is always hard, but I hope this helps you.
