Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:58 pm
With the choice of location, amateur gardeners set the course for successful cultivation of basil in the bed and on the balcony. How the ideal place for a king herb should be structured, we have compiled for you here.
The most important location criteria at a glance
The tropical origin already suggests it, basil has a high demand for sunlight. In addition, surprisingly, royal herb is one of the highly nutritious plants, which is quite exceptional for herbaceous plants. This is how a site should be:
- sunny position with at least 6 hours of sunshine in summer
- warm and without cold drafts
- preferably protected from splashing rain
- deep, well-drained soil
- nutrient-rich and well endowed with humus
- ideal is a pH value of 6.5 to 7.5
Regardless of its preference for abundant sun and warmth, potted basil should not be exposed to the accumulating heat of a reflective south-facing wall. A place surrounded by air is advantageous, so that raindrops dry more quickly.
How to take into account the rotation of crops
Like a lot of crops, basil is incompatible with itself. Therefore, it is recommended to plant the annual herb plant in a different location each year. There, other herbs, such as thyme, dill, marjoram, lemon balm or savory should not be settled, because they do not get along with kingweed.
Well-suited candidates for mixed cultivation are cucumbers, as mullein keeps mildew away from them.
Tips & tricks
Basil is an excellent companion for tomatoes. The intense fragrance, characterized by the essential oils keeps away cunning pests. At the same time, the king herb enjoys rain protection from the tomato canopy. As long as the mighty tomatoes do not rob the herb plant of sunlight, it is a model win-win constellation.