It’s raining like crazy today. So instead of braving the cold, and rain I decided to make a pot of hot chocolate, and stay in my pajamas and plant some basil.
Planting basil at the end of October is totally new for me. I have never really tried to grow plants during the winter months before, and since I already have a city of kale and chard growing outside, I figured I might as well try to grow something inside as well.
Ya know, to keep me busy and stuff.
I think once the basil gets growing though, it will still be way to cold to set outside in the greenhouse. So now I’m beginning to wonder if I can actually grow basil 100% indoors and be successful this winter? Or will the plants become to leggy and unmanageable?
Have YOU grown basil indoors before? Will this work? Is it possible to make fresh pesto in February?
Thanks for your help,
Mavis
If you are looking for a set of grow lights, I picked 2 of these Hydrofarm 4-Foot Jump Start T5 Grow Light Systems* earlier this year from Amazon.com and have been very pleased with them. Amazon also sells a smaller version {large enough for 1 seedling tray as well}.
*Direct Amazon product link
Amy says
Seems like with your grow light you’ll probably do fine. I took clippings from my outside herbs and am rooting them for indoors, that’s my experiment along with growing indoor ginger and potatoes this year. I also moved my new lemon tree inside after the rain hit. I’ll be interested to see how your basil grows!
David says
Hello, I currently have just over 200 genovese compact basil plants going in my basement. I use 2 48″ 6 bulb T5 grow lights on all the time. I have started from seeds as well as moved from my greenhouse to the basement. Water once every 3 days, feed once or twice a week with Garden organics” Go Box” products, and Neptune Harvest Seaweed fish fertilizer. Provide Good ventiliation and all should go well. Have fun.
Sarah b says
Where in your house do you grow them? Kitchen? Garage?
Practical Parsimony says
If you leave them where you are planting them, they will become leggy. If you put them all in their pots or thin to give them lots of room, they still won’t get leggy in the house. Crowding i what makes plants with plenty of light get leggy.