Many growers choose to grow basil on plastic mulch. Basil usually grows quickly and shades the planting hole in plasticulture, out-competing weed growth. Apply the plastic at least 2-3 weeks prior to planting and kill the weeds between the mulch prior to setting the basil plants on the plastic. On bare ground culture, keep cultivations shallow to protect crop roots. Do not move soil into the crop row as basil plants may be more susceptible to diseases when soil is mounded against the stems of the crop.
Stale Seedbed
The following herbicides are nonselective and are used to control weeds which are present in a field prior to planting or before the crop emerges, which is especially useful for the Stale Seedbed Technique (see the Weed Management section for more information).
- glyphosate (Roundup Power Max): PHI 14d, REI 4h, Group 9.
- pelargonic acid (Scythe): PHI 1d, REI 12h, Group 0.
Preemergent Herbicides (before weeds germinate)
HRAC Group 0:
- napropamide (Devrinol 2-XT): 2-4 qt/A. PHI 0h, REI 24h. 1 application per year. Apply before planting to a weed-free soil surface.
Postemergent Herbicides (after weeds germinate)
HRAC Group 0:
- pelargonic acid (Scythe): 3 to 10% solution. PHI 1d, REI 12h. Apply preplant or as a directed and shielded spray. Contact with crop will cause damage.
HRAC Group 1:
- clethodim (Select Max): 9 to 16 fl oz/A. PHI 14d, REI 24h. Do not exceed 64 fl oz/A per year. Apply to actively growing grasses.
HRAC Group 9:
- glyphosate (Roundup PowerMax): 10 fl oz to 3.1 qt/A. PHI 7d, REI 4h. Do not exceed 5 qt/A per year. Apply during fallow intervals, prior to planting, at planting, before crop has emerged, or to row middles with a hooded or shielded sprayer or wiper applicator. Spray contact can cause crop death. Spray additive recommendation varies with formulation–see label.
HRAC Group 14:
- carfentrazone (Aim EC): 0.5 to 2 fl oz/A. PHI 0d, REI 12h. Do not exceed 6.1 fl oz/A per year. Apply to row middles of emerged crop with hooded sprayer. Contact with crop will cause damage.