Easy steps for growing basil blend greens indoors through winter:

• Basil grows most productively under full spectrum (6400K) grow lights. Grow lights should be maintained 6 - 12” above plant tops and should be on 16 - 18 hours per day.
• During the months where daylight-hours are low basil is not able to grow productively without support from full spectrum grow lights (even on the sunniest windowsill or greenhouse, as day length is too short). 
• Basil grows very well in shallow containers with drainage. We often use 15 cm (6") or 10" x 20” trays. Other ideas include recycled clam shells from store-bought greens or recycled flower pots.
• For completely easy baby greens use a composty soil. We use an organic potting mix blended with Sea Soil compost at a 60 / 40 ratio. By building in high-quality compost you can avoid any need for additional fertilizing.
• Basil takes 3 - 7 days to germinate. The ideal temperature for germination is 18 - 21º C; bottom heat will speed up germination and encourage faster seedling development. Basil generally thrives on warmth and grows much faster where warm. 
• Wet your soil medium before sowing then sprinkle seeds onto soil surface at approximately 65 seeds per 8" pot. Press seeds gently into soil surface and spritz (or carefully water) to fully moisten.
• Check on seeds every few days to notice when they are starting to germinate. Maintain soil moisture without allowing the mix to be soggy.
• Basil will grow as a baby green for approximately ten to twelve weeks before a new crop needs to take over. Sow new trays every month to keep a constant supply.

Sowing for Spring/ Outdoor Growing:

• Germination: 3 - 7 days at 21 º C
• When to Sow: 4 - 6 weeks before average last frost date indoors, or direct seed outdoors starting in mid-June
• Starter Pots: 7.5 cm (3”) starter pots
• Soil: Well draining seed starting mix with worm castings
• Number of Seeds Per Pot: 5 - 8 seeds per starter pot, pressed lightly into moistened soil
• Where to Start: Place pots in the brightest window, or under full spectrum grow lights
• Watering: Water deeply, then allow soil to dry to the touch between waterings
• Transplanting: Transplant to outdoors in early June, once all chance of frost has passed and the ground has warmed up

Additional Tips for Indoor Growing:

• Great air circulation around your indoor garden makes everything better! If you are growing lots of plants indoors consider adding a small fan to your set-up.
• If using humidity domes over your trays: be sure to leave these off for at least one hour per day to allow for air circulation.
• Pests rarely occur on baby greens but it is a good idea to clean pots/trays with warm soapy water (or 10% bleach solution) between crops and generally keep your growing area tidy.
• Crops that are grown to larger than baby green size will likely require fertilizing for best productivity; we recommend Evolve Organic All-Purpose Fertilizer for our indoor gardens.

Harvesting Tips:

• Harvest leafy greens by up to 50% with each cut.
• Use sharp scissors to cut your greens - this helps plants regrow more quickly after harvest.
• The beauty of growing your own baby greens is that you can harvest just what you need when you need it!