amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Transplant basil seedlings to a sunny location in your garden but be prepared to provide some shade during the hottest part of the day to young plants. This time frame allows the seeds to be ready for transplant around mid-June. When transplanting basil, make sure that the new mix is similar to the one contained in the first pot to cause less stress to the plant. Moreover, moving them into a larger pot, allows them to have access to more, replenished organic matter which is essential for their development. The ideal time for transplanting your seedlings is about 3 weeks after they sprout or when you have 1-2 sets of true leaves. They’ll become nutrient deprived and their roots will grow round and round into a big knot. You should keep transplanting your basil plant into a larger pot every time it becomes big enough for the roots to lack space. Indoor basil plants are ready for repotting when the seedlings are strong enough, which usually happens two to three weeks after germination. There are a few simple things you can look for that are dead giveaways your plants need a bigger pot. Harvesting and pruning Thai basil is the same action. For indoor plants, you can sow the seeds at any point during the year, provided that you meet all other conditions. Plants will draw some of their water needs from the air directly instead of only having to rely on their disturbed root system. Growing basil as border plants may require a bit more tending and removal of weeds between the plants. The seedlings are getting crowded in the small pot, The cotyledons (original leaves) or some of the true leaves are turning yellow. Tell us about your experience in the comments below! You should have only one plant per cell or pot. Basil plants thrive indoors! In turn, summer is the perfect season to see your basil plant flourishing! For best results, when transplanting a supermarket plan, you should thin the seedlings. Use a pencil or dibber to lever the roots of the seedling out of the compost, holding the seedling by the leaves, as these are replaceable, and never by the stem, which can be easily crushed. However, if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, it is better to hand the delicate roots of seedlings without it! Plant outdoors in early spring as long as temperatures don’t drop below 50°F. The cotyledons are turning yellow and falling off Cotyledons are the first leaves that emerge from … Or, if the climate permits, transplant your basil outdoors. Wait until most of the plants have their first pair of "true leaves", and then you should prick them out (transplant them). It’s definitely time to transplant if the true leaves are yellow. How to Thin Out Seedlings. This can happen at any time during the plant’s life cycle: right when the seedlings pop up out of the ground, once they are fully grown, or any time in between! Some signs that tell you that they are ready for the move are: If you are planning to move your basil plant in the garden eventually, you should aim at sowing the seeds in a smaller pot between mid-April and mid-May. Now it is time to move it in the sun, on your windowsill or, if temperatures allow it, outdoors! Be sure to check out How Often Should You water Basil Seeds article. This will get them better accustomed to eventually living full-time outdoors.. Move basil seedlings outdoors gradually to harden them off. Pick up the plant and place it on top of the soil in the new container. Indoor basil plants are ready for repotting when the seedlings are strong enough, which usually happens two to three weeks after germination. You will be happy to know that transplanting basil is not a complicated task! That is why you should repot them or transplant them outdoors immediately after bringing them home. One or more true leaves, height, and time from germination can be used to know when to transplant basil. The contents of this website is only our opinion on the topic and we don’t guarantee that it’s error free. Repotting Basil Seedlings. If you wish to transfer your plants outdoors, instead, do so only after the last frost of spring, when air and soil temperature are stable and warm. It takes just 22 days from seed to sale, so the rootball is underdeveloped. Alternatively, you could opt to separate each plant and repot them into new containers. Here are some tips for repotting seedlings for healthier better plants I’ll write out what I’ve learned while researching DIY projects and share my experiences while working on different projects. While it’s fun and sometimes more cost effective to Do It Yourself. It should boast drainage holes at the bottom end and be at least 5 to 7 centimeters (2 to 2.8 inches) larger than the original container. Once your basil plant sits comfortably in the new pot, water them until you notice drops dripping through the drainage holes. This allows you to have more control over the temperature and moisture in the seed starting container. Everything they need to develop is enough sunlight, well-drained soil, and steady temperatures around 20°C (68°F). Once your tomato seedlings grow to a height of 2 to 4 inches (5.1 to 10.2 centimeters), you can think about repotting them to a larger container. 8. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; Our website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Most fresh basil sold in supermarkets is sweet basil. How do you repot a basil plant? Water the seedlings if needed, then leave the seedlings in direct sunlight for 8 hours. Repot a store-bought plant immediately after purchasing. When they are big enough to stand the external environment, and the temperatures are suitable, proceed to harden your plants. This post contains affiliate links. Top Problems Growing Basil and How to Fix Them. It’s better to get them in new containers before they start to show the signs of stress listed below. If a reasonably mild night is in store, leave them outside overnight. Some plants will grow taller than others and that will affect how much light the others get. Get a big container with a lid that can fill smaller pots and poke air holes in it (unless it already has … After you have gathered all of the needed equipment and your seedlings look healthy enough, let’s proceed to transplant them. Read our privacy policy, 5 Signs It’s Time To Repot Your Seedlings, « 52 Reasons Why You Should Grow Your Own Food. Before filling your containers, wet down your soil mixture to ensure even watering after you plant. Trim after the newly repotted plant is established to encourage more leaves. As an affiliate of retailers(like Amazon), we earn from qualifying purchases. Plant a foot apart in rows separated by 15 to 18 inches. Keep pruning every 3–4 weeks, cutting your Thai basil down to the lower 33% of the plant. If in doubt, plant in a greenhouse, tunnel house or inside. Basil plants prefer well-drained soil with a neutral pH. Once they are ready for transplant, pick a sheltered area in your garden that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight during each day. They’re already telling you they need more space, why stress them by making them grow bigger in the same small space? amzn_assoc_title = "Fox Farm Ocean Forest"; At this point, you should keep your plant in their starter pot for as long as two weeks before repotting. Transplanting Basil Seedlings into Your Garden. Why not just give them some fertilizer, or better yet, start them in a larger container to begin with? You simply need a new container and some potting mix. When growing basil indoors for transplant, start them 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost date. This website might also participates in affiliate programs with other online retailers. You’ll be much more successful germinating seeds if you start them in small containers. If you’ve grown seedlings in a flat, and they’ve gotten leggy, transplant them to new containers that keep them farther apart. 9. We like to mix the potting mix and the seed starting mix in a 50:50 ratio. In any case, it is important to understand that the reason why many gardeners fail to see their store-bought basil plant flourishing is that the pots contain large quantities of seeds.