Basil: An Herb Society of America Guide
Outdoor Cultivation
Soil
If you decide to sow basil directly into the garden rather than starting plants indoors, be sure to wait until the soil is warm enough. Evening temperatures should be at least 60°F (24, 79). Mark Langan recommends warming the ground by covering it with a clear plastic sheet 2 weeks before planting (Remember to remove the sheet before planting.) (51). Adding mulch with straw to the soil is a natural and easy way to help retain moisture and warmth and deter weeds (8). Madalene Hill and Gwen Barclay use a hardwood bark mulch added to the top of the soil and suggest that gardeners find mulches that are available locally (45). Mark Langan also prefers bark mulch to wheat straw because it can help prevent rot diseases in high humidity areas (51).
For best results, soil pH should be about 6.4 (79), but keep in mind that basil can grow in a variety of soils, with pH ranging from 4.3 to 9.1 (28, 42, 79). Many university agricultural extensions offer soil tests that assess pH and the presence of necessary minerals and organic compounds like nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. See
the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service website
http://www.reeusda.gov/1700/statepartners/usa.htm*
to locate an extension in your area.
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