What Kind of Vegetable Is Thai Basil? A Detailed Guide to Growing It
Nowadays, in many cooking and food shows, we often see chefs and celebrities using a vegetable called Thai basil, and many friends are curious about what kind of vegetable Thai basil actually is. In fact, in our daily lives we usually call it fish-fragrant herb. Its fragrance is quite special, and it can be added to many dishes with a strong fishy or gamy smell to remove the odor and enhance freshness. It also has certain medicinal value and is very popular among city people. So, are you clear about the growing methods for Thai basil? Let's take a look together!
The Growing Methods for Thai Basil
1. Soil and Fertilizer Management
Thai basil is not strict about the soil of the growing site. It is tolerant of poor soil but not of clay. Generally, it can be grown in any well-ventilated, well-drained sandy loam. Of course, if there is no sandy loam, it cannot be grown in clay either, except that when preparing the land, sufficient sand needs to be added to the clay to improve the soil. Specifically, Thai basil is a deep-rooted plant, so when preparing the land, everyone should also pay attention to the issues of spacing and depth.
2. Propagation Methods
Thai basil is generally propagated by seed. In the southern regions of China, it is usually planted in March and April each year, while in the northern regions it is generally planted from the end of April to the beginning of May. If Thai basil is planted all year round, then during certain periods, due to changes in the environment and temperature, the yield and quality brought about should be higher. Moreover, sowing Thai basil is basically done in drills. What needs attention with drilling is the spacing and the interval when scattering the seeds. After handling is complete, remember to cover with a thin layer of soil, which is also for doing the details well for subsequent growth.
3. Field Management
When the Thai basil seedlings grow to about eight or nine cm, thinning begins. Generally, only two strong seedlings are kept per plant, and the other seedlings need to be pulled out. Then check whether any places in the field are lacking seedlings, and replant them as needed. Thai basil, like other plants, requires weeding, generally about two times. The specific timing of weeding needs to be judged by everyone according to the field conditions, and it may also require multiple treatments if weeds grow vigorously. After each weeding is completed, a fertilization task should be carried out, also for Thai basil's nutrient absorption, which can promote its growth. Thai basil's growth has a relatively large demand for water. Generally, under conditions with no rainfall, it needs to be watered about once every five days.
4. Timely Harvesting
There are actually quite a few methods for harvesting Thai basil, not just conventional normal harvesting. We can carry it out through stem and leaf harvesting, whole-plant harvesting, and seed harvesting. Stem and leaf harvesting can be done in multiple rounds, generally starting from July each year and not ending until August. Seed harvesting, however, is during the period from August to September each year. But everyone should note that the timing of harvesting Thai basil must be grasped well, as too early or too late may affect its quality and yield.
That is where Tuliu.com's summary on the planting issues of Thai basil comes to an end today. Now, after Thai basil is planted, it is generally sold to supermarkets or fresh food markets in big cities. Everyone can look into the specific sales situation.