10 Easiest Plants to Grow from Seeds (Guide + Tips)

#2 – Basil: Your Kitchen Garden Starter

Oh boy, let me tell you about my basil journey! I still remember my first attempt at growing basil – I started with one tiny plant and ended up with enough pesto to feed the entire neighborhood. Now, after teaching countless kitchen garden workshops, I can confidently say that basil is the gateway herb to gardening addiction.

Indoor vs Outdoor Growing: You Can’t Go Wrong!

One of the things I absolutely love about basil is its flexibility. I’ve grown it everywhere, from my kitchen windowsill to my outdoor raised beds:

• Indoor Growing:
• Needs a sunny window or grow light
• Ideal temperature around 70°F
• Perfect for year-round fresh herbs
• Great for apartments and small spaces
• Outdoor Growing:
• Plant after all frost danger passes
• Loves warm, sunny spots
• Companion plant with tomatoes
• Needs at least 6 hours of sun

The Quick Road to Germination

Here’s what makes basil such a rewarding plant – it’s super quick! My students are always amazed by this timeline:

• Day 1-4: Seeds germinate
• Day 5-10: First true leaves appear
• Day 21: Ready for first harvest
• Day 30+: Full production mode

The Secret to Endless Harvests

Let me share my favorite “pinch and grow more” technique that I’ve perfected over the years:

1. Wait until plant has 6 sets of true leaves
2. Pinch just above the second set from bottom
3. Harvest regularly to prevent flowering
4. Never take more than 1/3 of the plant
5. Always cut above leaf nodes

Must-Try Basil Varieties

Trust me, there’s more to basil than just the basic Genovese! Here are my students’ favorites:

• Genovese – The classic Italian standard
• Thai Basil – Spicy licorice flavor
• Purple Basil – Gorgeous in salads
• Lemon Basil – Citrusy twist
• Greek Dwarf – Perfect for containers

Storage and Usage Tips That Actually Work

After years of trial and error, here’s how I keep my basil fresh and usable:

• Fresh Storage:
• Treat like cut flowers in water
• Keep at room temperature
• Never refrigerate fresh leaves
• Change water every 2-3 days
• Preservation Methods:
• Freeze in olive oil ice cubes
• Make and freeze pesto
• Air dry whole branches
• Infuse in vinegar

Want to know what’s even easier to grow than basil? Click that next button to discover my favorite “instant gratification” vegetable – radishes! These crispy little gems go from seed to harvest in just 3 weeks. I can’t wait to share how I accidentally grew the most perfect radishes ever, and how you can too!

Ready to add some crispy crunch to your garden? The next section will show you exactly how to grow radishes that are sweet and never bitter!