Latest Planting Methods and Cultivation Tips for Thai Basil

Thai basil, also known as what we commonly call fish-fragrance herb, has a unique fragrance and is often used in our daily life in certain dishes with a strong fishy smell to remove the fishiness. But it also has many other effects, such as detoxifying and reducing swelling, promoting qi and blood circulation, and treating headaches, bloating and so on. It is mainly grown in the southern regions of our country, so how should Thai basil be planted? Today, join me to learn about its planting methods.

1. Soil and Fertilizer Management

Thai basil does not have strict requirements for the soil of the planting site. It is tolerant of poor soil but not of clay soil. Generally, it can be planted in any well-ventilated, well-drained sandy loam. Of course, if there is no sandy loam, it cannot be planted in clay soil either; it is just that when preparing the land, sufficient sand needs to be added to the clay soil to improve it. Because Thai basil is a deep-rooted plant, when preparing the land, it should be at least about 50 cm deep, spread with sufficient nutrients, turned into the soil, furrowed and bedded, and the bed surface leveled.

2. Propagation Methods

Thai basil is generally propagated by seed. In the southern regions of our country, 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. In fact, Thai basil can be planted all year round, but the yield and quality are better when planted at certain times. When sowing, drill sowing is generally used, with the distance between each row about 30 to 35 cm, and then the seeds are scattered at a spacing of 10 to 15 cm. Cover with a thin layer of soil, then water the soil moist.

3. Field Management

⟦NL>When the Thai basil seedlings grow to about 8 to 9 cm, start thinning them. Generally, only two strong seedlings are kept per plant, and the other seedlings need to be pulled out. Then check where there are missing seedlings in the field and fill them in. Throughout the entire growth process of Thai basil, at least two rounds of intertillage and weeding are needed, and whether weeding is needed later depends on the growth of weeds in the field. Each time intertillage is done, it needs to be combined with fertilization, which helps the absorption of nutrients and promotes the growth of Thai basil. Thai basil has a relatively large demand for water during growth. Generally, under conditions with no rainfall, it needs to be watered once about every five days.

4. Timely Harvesting

There are many harvesting methods for Thai basil, divided into stem and leaf harvesting, whole-plant harvesting, and seed harvesting. Stem and leaf harvesting can be done in multiple rounds, generally starting in July each year and ending in August. Seed harvesting is during the period from August to September each year. The harvesting time should not be too early or too late, so as not to affect the yield and quality of Thai basil.

Thai basil not only has extremely high culinary value, but also very high medicinal value, and it occupies an important position in the market. That is all for the Thai basil planting methods I have introduced to you today. If you have any other questions about planting techniques, you can contact us to get the latest information.