QUESTION: Is it better to grow basil inside or outside? I’d like to grow some because I use it a lot in cooking and I’m wondering what’s better / easier. – Jen S
ANSWER: This might be a little controversial, but in my opinion, I think it’s better to grow basil indoors. The reason being is basil has a few specific growing conditions.
This herb must be grown where it receives full sunlight. Therefore, it needs a minimum of six hours of direct lighting per day.
Basil must be planted in well-draining soil that’s consistently moist. When growing the herb in a container, indoors, you can control these elements easier than if the plant were growing in the ground or in a container outdoors.
It’s easier to remember to water basil and catch potential issues when you walk past it regularly inside your home.
You may need to keep basil under a grow light to ensure it receives enough lighting, but it’s easier to control such things in an indoor setting. You could even set the grow light to turn on and off at a particular time to ensure the plant is receiving the exact amount of light needed.
Also, when growing basil indoors you have fewer threats from pests, you don’t have to worry about the plant being blown over due to high winds, and you don’t have to worry about the sun being too harsh.
When growing outdoors, you can’t control what pests are in your area. Basil can also break during harsh storms with strong winds. These are things you simply can’t control when growing any plant outdoors.
Finally, some days the sun can become hot and harsh. This could cause the basil to become distressed. You don’t have to worry about any of this inside your home.
The final reason I prefer growing basil indoors is because of the ease of use. If you grow basil in your kitchen window, it’s easy to use when cooking.
These are a few of the ways that growing basil indoors is easier than growing it outdoors. Try it for yourself and see what opinion you form.
More About Growing Basil
https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-basil
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/herbs/basil.cfm
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