Should basil be replanted annually?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Basil can grow as an annual in most climates but it must be replanted every frost. In USDA Zones 10-11, it may survive through the winter but will lose its flavor without hard pruning back in the spring. I have consistently found that replanting it every year will ensure that they have tender leaves and will not become woody even in warm locations.
Frost Sensitivity
- Dies at 32°F (0°C) - replant after last spring frost
- In Zones 3-9, sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before frost-free date
- Harvest fully before first fall frost to maximize yield
Perennial Practices
- In Zones 10-11, cut stems to 4in (10cm) post-flowering
- Apply balanced fertilizer every 6 weeks to maintain flavor
- Replace plants every 18 months to prevent lignification
Container gardening enables basil to live longer in cooler zones. Simply bring the pots inside when it gets colder than 45°F (7°C). Growing my basil in a greenhouse produced leaves for me all year, under grow lights. However, the flavor diminished after around nine months of growing compared to freshly planted basil in the spring.
Crop Rotation
- Follow basil with nitrogen-fixing beans
- Avoid planting mint family in same soil
- Solarize soil 4 weeks pre-planting in disease-prone areas
By engaging in seed saving, you will have the opportunity to save heirloom varieties of seeds.Begin by collecting dry flower heads in paper bags. If you do this correctly, seeds will remain viable for 5 years. I have had great success growing seedlings from 90% of the seeds from the flowers, just make sure you are not collecting seeds from hybrids, as their traits degrade in the following generation.
Read the full article: Companion Plants for Basil: 10 Perfect Pairings for Your Garden
