Herbs · Easy
Basil
Ocimum basilicum
Continuous harvest; high everyday value.
- EC (mS/cm)
- 1.0–1.6
- pH
- 5.5–6.0
- Cycle
- long
- Difficulty
- Easy
Sound origin
Ocimum basilicum
Native to South Asia or Central Africa, it spread from Egypt to Rome, then to southern Europe in the second century, and reached the Americas with the first emigrants.
Source: Wikipedia
What it provides nutrients
Per 100 g, raw · Basil, fresh
- Rich in vitamin K
- Rich in vitamin A
- Rich in vitamin B9
- Rich in calcium
- Rich in iron
- Source of vitamin C
- Source of potassium
- Source of magnesium
- Source of fiber
% of an adult’s reference intake (EU Regulation 1169/2011). “Source of”: at least 15 % per 100 g, “high in”: at least 30 % (thresholds of EC Regulation 1924/2006). A handful of fresh herbs weighs about 5 to 10 g: divide these figures by 10 to 20 for a real serving.
Key steps
- Pinch the tip to encourage branching.
- Sensitive to cold: outdoors only after the Ice Saints in mid-May.
- High practical value: a priority.
In which system?
| Tower | NFT | Growing medium | Kratky |
|---|---|---|---|
Approximate calendar
| Sowing | Mar., Apr., May |
| Plants | none |
| Harvest | June, July, Aug., Sept. |
Garden, patio, balcony: Belgian and northern French climate, earlier farther south. Estimates to adjust with your own dates.
Frequently asked questions
Hydroponic basil: what pH?
Recommended pH: 5.5–6.0 (Oklahoma State HLA-6722 benchmark). Measure every day at the same time and correct in small doses, after adjusting the EC.
Hydroponic basil: what EC?
Recommended electrical conductivity: 1.0–1.6 mS/cm (Oklahoma State HLA-6722 benchmark).
Basil: which hydroponic system?
Best suited: the vertical tower, NFT and the Kratky method. Continuous harvest; very useful in the kitchen.
Basil: when to sow in Belgium?
Indicative window for a garden, patio or balcony in Belgium or northern France: March, April, and May. Adjust with your own dates.