Growing basil (Ocimum basilicum) is not difficult, as long as you know how to water it. The schedule may vary depending on your climate and whether you have it planted indoors or outside. Generally, this perennial herb does well in warm climates and thrives in full sun. However, it still likes moist, well-drained soil. "Just like an outdoor garden, every indoor growing space is unique," says Jordan Mara, founder of Mind & Soil. "Rather than having a strict watering schedule, focus on paying more attention to the foliage and soil to determine whether the plant is in need of its next watering." Here is everything you need to know about basil watering needs. Meet the Expert Jordan Mara is the founder of Mind & Soil. When to Water Basil Basil loves moist soil, so it makes sense to give the herb infrequent deep waterings instead of daily shallow watering. The reason for this approach? You want the water to penetrate at least 2 inches of soil so it won't dry out as quickly through evaporation. "Additionally, this trains the roots of the plant to search down more deeply for water, creating a larger root system," Mara says. A mature plant will likely need a good deep watering once a week, but of course this might depend on the environment, especially if the basil is planted inside. "This is because the light source is not as intense as the sun and there is generally less airflow indoors," Mara says. "As a result of a less intense light source and less wind, the soil will not dry up as quickly." For outdoor basil gardens, Mara says the best time of day to water basil that grows outside is either first thing in the morning or in evening. "Avoid watering in the middle of the day as the water will evaporate most quickly at this time and water on the leaves can result in burning from the sun," he says. Basil Water Schedule: Indoors and Outdoors Like with most plants, the frequency of watering depends on the amount of light, temperature, humidity, soil type, and potting container. The main thing to keep in mind when it comes to basil is that it likes moisture. As a rule of thumb, you want to aim to water once a week, however, if your basil is potted indoors, you may want to increase watering to every two to four days as the water may evaporate quicker. This approach also applies to basil in pots, even if it is outside. Unlike basil that grows in the ground, potted basil can dry out faster. "This is because rather than only the top of the soil being dried out by sun and wind, now all sides of the pot are being exposed to the sun and wind," Mara explains. "As such, evaporation now occurs from all directions." However, it's important to keep in mind that every environment is going to be different. Brown recommends focusing on paying attention to the actual foliage of your plant and digging down two inches into the soil rather than a fixed schedule. Light Basil loves sunlight. It grows exceptionally well when exposed to about six to eight hours of light each day. Keep in mind that even though this herb loves the sunshine, if you have direct midday sun, it may dry it out too quickly. Ideally, basil should have full morning sun that isn't too intense. If you notice that the leaves are pale green, instead of vibrant green, that means the herb may not be getting enough light. If your potted basil is indoors, move it to a sunnier location. Temperature and Humidity Very warm temperatures are quite hospitable to basil. You will have a full plant when the temperatures range between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature goes above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, the plant may undergo stress and the leaves may dry out. In that case, increase the watering frequency and create artificial shade. If the temperature drops to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the basil will not do well and the leaves may blacken. Anything below 45 degrees Fahrenheit is likely to harm your herb. When it comes to humidity, basil will thrive when the levels are somewhere between 40 and 60 percent. Indoor humidity is typically around 30 and 60 percent, so your window sill planters of herbs should do just fine. Soil Type Basil does well in well-draining soil. You can purchase vegetable and herb potting mix for both your planters and garden beds. If you have your soil tested for pH levels, basil will grow well in the 6.0 to 7.5 range. Potting Container Basil loves well-draining soil, so make sure that if you are using a planter, it has well-draining holes. You do not want the basil roots to sit in water. Also, make sure that your potting container has ample space for roots, a large pot that is at least 9 inches deep and 12 inches wide is a good start. Basil does especially well in raised beds or containers because both offer drainage and a welcoming environment that retains heat. This is particularly helpful in the spring when the plant is establishing. How Basil Plants Hold Water Basil is a humidity-loving plant and can absorb moisture through its leaves. This means you can mist the herb, in addition to providing it with plenty of water. The plant uses its roots to drink up water, but too much water around the roots can cause them to rot. For deep watering, Mara suggests the following: use a watering can or the shower setting on your hose and begin watering the soil all around where the stem enters the ground. If possible, avoid watering the leaves and only water the foliage. Once the water begins to pool, move on to your other plants and return to the basil plant after two to three minutes. Dig down 2 inches again to check and see if it's moist. If it is, you're all finished. However, if it is not moist 2 inches down, do a second round of watering. Repeat this process until the soil is moist 2 inches below the surface. Signs Your Basil Plant Is Underwatered Sad, sagging leaves are a sign that basil needs more water. If the plant is wilting, find a watering can pronto. You should also look at the soil level, if it is dry at the two inches level, it is time to water, Mara recommends. Here is what you should look for. Wilting leaves Sagging and drooping stems Dry soil at the base of the plant Remember, basil needs at least 1 inch of water every week to stay healthy and thrive. Signs Your Basil Plant Is Overwatered According to Mara, if your basil plant's leaves start to show brown or black spots, it is a sign that you are overwatering. Keep an eye out for the following. Brown spots Wilting stems Yellow leaves at the base of the plant Foul soil smell (a sign of root rot) Note that brown spots on leaves could also mean that the environment is too cold for the basil. (You'll also see this happen in the fridge if the temperature is too low). Store herbs in a crisper or in the front of the fridge if this is the case.

‘Anaheim’ peppers are slightly spicy, flavorful, and perfect for the backyard garden. You’ll have fruit all summer when you plant one in the ground, a raised bed, or a container. In this guide, learn how to grow productive ‘Anaheim’ peppers alongside gardener Jerad Bryant. When planting a vegetable garden, growers often opt for peppers. They are prolific, compact, and easy to manage, and their beloved fruits have many uses in the kitchen. Grow chiles alongside tomatoes, onions, and garlic, and you’ll have all the ingredients for homemade salsa. ‘Anaheim’ peppers are a special choice as they offer versatility in flavor. Milder than jalapeños, this variety ranges in Scoville units from 500 to 5,000, although most will be between 500 and 2,500 units. For context, jalapeños range from 2,500 to 8,000. As ‘Anaheim’ fruits ripen, they produce more capsaicin and gain spiciness. Whether you love heat or prefer mild varieties, this type is the right one for you. Grow it alongside bell and sweet peppers for a full range of chile flavors. Learn how to grow ‘Anaheim’ pepper plants and how to preserve their fruits with this comprehensive guide. What Is It? ‘Anaheim’ peppers are of the species Capsicum annuum and have close relations to bell peppers, jalapeños, and serranos. Their fruits are green at first and ripen with deep red patches. Over time, they become bright red all over. At each stage, ‘Anaheim’ chiles gain considerable flavor, Chile Colorado, a popular Mexican dish, uses dried red ‘Anaheim’ peppers in a stew. The immature green chiles are available at most grocery stores. Use them as a seasoning base in salsas or roasts. Their mild heat and complex flavor add a delicate touch to any dish that needs spiciness. ‘Anaheim’ peppers also have the name Hatch chiles, after the Hatch region in New Mexico, where farmers cultivate them. Nowadays, the original ‘Anaheim’ variety has tons of cultivars. ‘NuMex Joe E. Parker’ is a fine one, with six to eight-inch-long fruits! Native Area Species of Capsicum anuum are native to large swaths of Central and South America. The ‘Anaheim’ cultivars originated in New Mexico and spread to Anaheim, California, by growers. ‘Anaheim’ peppers are now available at nurseries, seed retailers, and online. The story goes that Emilio Ortega, the founder of the Ortega Chile Packaging Company, brought these chiles to Anaheim. From there, he packaged the peppers and sold them, making them a global hit. Characteristics Like most other peppers, ‘Anaheim’ plants grow in full sun, warm temperatures, and with regular water. They sprout long green leaves on thin stems. They sprout white flowers that morph into skinny green chiles. The fruits sometimes grow wrinkles on top, and each differs in taste and size. ‘Anaheim’ chiles grow as annuals where the weather dips below freezing in the winter. They function as perennials where winter weather is mild and warm and survive year to year with ease. This variety also works well in a container, and you can bring it inside when fall frost arrives. Green ‘Anaheim’ chiles enjoy a wide range of uses, like canned and preserved salsas, sauces, and chile mixes. They have a mild, sweet flavor, although they can get pretty spicy as they ripen red. Smoke and dry red ‘Anaheim’ peppers for a Chile Colorado dish, or for fermented sauces. Propagation Multiply pepper plants with seeds or stem cuttings. Seeds are the most reliable method, and growing them is a fun process. Sprout peppers indoors two months before your last frost and you’ll have an indoor garden while it’s winter outside! After your seeds sprout, take cuttings of overgrown plants and root them to further multiply your crop. Read on and discover easy ways to grow your peppers. Planting Now that you’ve sprouted seeds and cuttings, you’re ready to transplant. A bit of preparation of the soil and site will help ‘Anaheim’ chiles thrive throughout the growing season. Give them the care they need, and they’ll reward you with basketfuls of fruit! How to Grow Peppers thrive during the summertime as they bask in the warmth the sun brings. Plant two or three, and you’ll have tons of fruit with little maintenance. Give them good soil, water, and nutrients, and they’ll perform endlessly until cold weather arrives. Maintenance Maintain this variety by removing diseased or dead parts of the plant. If leaves crowd out peppers on the interior, snip a few to let sunlight pass through. The fruits need warmth and sunshine to change color and develop flavor. ‘Anaheim’ chiles reach heights of 24-30” and benefit from small stakes or cages. Although not that tall, their stems bend down under the weight of heavy fruits. Adding support gives your chiles an extra boost. In autumn, as the first frost arrives, hard prune the plants so they divert their energy towards ripening. Remove stems without fruits, and cut off a third of the leaves. Cut off any new blossoms that are open or developing. This process may seem harsh, but it helps your plants focus their efforts on finishing the fruits they’ve already formed.

Culinary sage is more than an easy-care perennial herb that reliably provides you with aromatic sage leaves for cooking year after year; it's also an excellent companion plant for other garden crops. Here are 18 sage companion plants that will benefit and elevate your plants and garden as a whole. Companion Planting With Sage Good companion plants for sage fall into two broad categories: beneficial and good matches. Unlike other types of companion plants where benefits are mutual, in the case of sage the benefits usually go one way; sage is the one that is beneficial to other plants because sage itself is bothered by few pests. Sage aids in pest control by deterring certain pests from vulnerable plants and attracting beneficial insects and pollinators like butterflies and bees. In the second category of companion plants are crops that make a good match when planted as neighbors. These plants have similar growing conditions to sage, such as light, water, and fertilizer needs. The plants won't overgrow or shade sun-loving sage, and they don’t compete for space or nutrients. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! 01 of 18 Arugula Sage deters black flea beetles, a common pest of all members of the Brassica family. In leafy greens such as arugula, beetles chomping away at the plant is especially destructive. 02 of 18 Carrots Its strong scent makes sage an excellent companion plant for carrots. Its aroma masks the scent of carrot plants, so it's more difficult for carrot flies to find carrot plants. Carrot flies, also known as carrot rust flies, are small black flies that feed on the roots of carrots. 03 of 18 Kale Cabbage loopers, cabbageworms, and flea beetles attack all members of the Brassica family, and kale is no exception. The potent smell of sage with camphor as a key component tells pests to look elsewhere to breed and feed. 04 of 18 Radishes Though flea beetles feed on radish leaves and not on the bulbs, it is still a good idea to have sage growing as a companion near your radishes to deter the pest. Severely damaged foliage leads to stunted growth. 05 of 18 Broccoli Planting sage as a companion plant for broccoli is a way of biological pest control. The sage keeps cabbage moths away, and the fewer moths that lay their eggs on the broccoli leaves, the fewer cabbage worms will be on your broccoli later. 06 of 18 Brussels Sprouts Brussels sprouts are notorious victims of cabbage worms and cabbage looper moths. The moths of both can be deterred by sage plants nearby. 07 of 18 Cabbage Cruciferous vegetables, which include all types of cabbage, attract cabbage moths, which later hatch into voracious cabbage worms or cabbage loopers. As a deterrent, sage ranks top on the list of companion plants for cabbage. 08 of 18 Cauliflower Cauliflower is not the easiest vegetable to grow, partly because it is highly susceptible to cabbage worms and cabbage loopers. Sage plants help keep these pests away. 09 of 18 Collard Greens The holes in the leaves of collard greens are usually a dead giveaway that flea beetles have been feeding on the plant. The plants are also susceptible to cabbage loopers and cabbage worms. With sage as a companion plant, you can keep all three pests at bay in one fell swoop. 10 of 18 Bok Choi Bok choy, also known as Chinese cabbage, is a member of the Brassica family and attracts cabbage moths, which turn into cabbage worms in their larval stage, as well as flea beetles. Sage helps to deter both pests. 11 of 18 Kohlrabi Kohlrabi is a cool-weather crop, but that doesn't mean that there are no cabbage worms and flea beetles around. Sage works as a deterrent as long as there are fresh, green leaves on the plant. 12 of 18 Mustard Greens If you don't want the tender mustard greens to be riddled with holes from flea beetle feeding, plant a sage nearby. It will also help deter cabbage worms and cabbage loopers. 13 of 18 Turnip If you plan on harvesting tender young turnip greens, keep flea beetles away with a sage plant nearby. The camphor content in the leaves, which deters pests, decreases as the leaves mature so make sure to cut your sage regularly to encourage new, fresh foliage growth. 14 of 18 Strawberries There is more than one good reason to plant sage, preferably more than one, as a companion plant for strawberries. The strong scent of the leaves masks the smell of the plants for insects and predators. Plus, blooming sage attracts bees and other pollinators, improving the strawberry crop. 15 of 18 Lemon Balm Sage is a good companion plant for herbs with similar growing conditions, and lemon balm is one of them. It is also a perennial that thrives in full sun and requires little to moderate watering. 16 of 18 Oregano Oregano is considered a good companion plant for sage, especially in an herb garden with mostly perennial herbs. Both sage and oregano thrive in full sun and sandy soil and stand up to moderate drought. 17 of 18 Peppermint Peppermint is another good companion for sage because of similar growing conditions. However, because of its rampant growth, you need to keep peppermint from overgrowing sage, which stays much more compact and does not spread like peppermint. A good way to control peppermint is to plant it in a container with the bottom removed, which restrict its horizontal root growth. 18 of 18 Rosemary Rosemary and sage are a classic combo not only in the kitchen (and in song), but also in an herb garden. These sun-loving herbs are both members of the mint family and share the same growing requirements; once established, they are both drought-tolerant.