 Basilby Monica Resinger
Name/Botanical Name: Basil, Ocimum Basilicum
Description: A highly flavored tender annual herb that is used in many
dishes. Sweet basil can reach 2-3 feet tall. It attracts butterflies
and beneficial insects to the garden.
There are many different varieties of basil such as lemon basil,
cinnamon basil, sweet basil and more. The best way to find variety is
to shop for seeds. I have noticed a few lesser-known varieties of
seeds in the stores, but you will find more variety through specialty
seed catalogs.
Plant requirements: Basil likes well-drained soil that is rich in
nutrients. It also likes full sun and lots of water. Basil also likes
warm weather and will not do well if the weather turns cold.
Propagation: You can start seeds early indoors 6-8 weeks before the
last frost or take cuttings. Germination of seeds takes at least 2
weeks. Directly seeding outdoors after frost has passed and soil has
warmed will also do well.
Planting: Plant Basil in the garden after all danger of frost has
passed and temperatures are consistently 60*F or more. Space plants
about 12 inches apart.
Care: Slugs and snails love Basil so you'll need to protect your
plants from them. You can crush eggshells and put a ring of them
around the base of each plant or put a ring of gravel. Pinch back
often to encourage bushy growth.
Harvest just before flowering or while flowering. You can also pick
leaves as needed anytime.
Using Basil
In the Garden: Basil can be grown in containers or in the garden as an
ornamental plant. Grow purple leaved varieties next to the green
leaved varieties for a beautiful contrast.
Companion Planting: Basil is said to improve the growth and flavor of
asparagus, tomatoes and most vegetables except cabbage and snap beans
and is said to repel whiteflies. It is also a great companion to roses
by improving their growth and providing some protection from insects.
Culinary: There a many different ways to use basil in the kitchen.
The purple or red varieties make beautiful herb
vinegars. Lemon basil is a great addition to fruit salads or to use
when cooking poultry. Lemon or cinnamon basil can be used in jellies,
honeys, vinegars and baked goods. Sweet basil is excellent with
Italian dishes such as spaghetti.
Crafts: Use lemon or cinnamon basil in potpourri. Basil is symbolic
for best wishes and warm friendship; this could be taken into account
if you are making an arrangement for a special occasion. Basil can be
dried and used in herb/dried flower wreaths.
Repel Insects: Rub basil leaves on your skin or grow in a container near
a troubled area to repel insects such as mosquitoes. You can also burn
sprigs of basil on the barbecue or fire to repel them. Place fresh sprigs
over bowls of food to prevent flies from landing.
As you can see, basil is a very useful, decorative and valuable herb
that is well worth the minimal effort to grow. I hope you'll try it if
you haven't already.
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E-publications
Italian Large Leaf Basil
Price: 1.59 The Basil Italian Large Leaf, 'Ocimum basilicum', is a sweet basil that is particularly good for pesto and is also excellent for fresh use. There is nothing like the smell of basil, it is the smell of summer. There is no more useful herb. The Italian Large Leaf Basil has just that, a larger leaf than other basils. It is a good all "around basil" and it has very few pests. Plant 1 to 2 weeks after the last average frost date. Place the Basil seeds in well drained soil with lots of organic matter. 
Lemon Basil
Price: 1.69 The Basil Lemon, 'Ocimum basilicum citriodorum', has a strong lemon fragrance that makes this basil excellent for vinegars, salad dressing, fish dishes, and salads. There is no more useful herb. It is a good all "around basil" and it has very few pests. The Lemon Basil has pointed 2 inch, dull green leaves. Plant 1 to 2 weeks after the last average frost date. Place the Basil seeds in well drained soil with lots of organic matter.
Napoletano Basil
Price: 1.69 The Basil Napoletano, 'Ocimum basilicum', is one of the best basils available for eating fresh. The tender leaves are mild, sweet and tender in flavor. There is nothing like the smell of basil because the smell of basil is the smell of summer. There is no more useful herb and it is very fragrant. It is a good all "around basil" and it has very few pests. Plant 1 to 2 weeks after the last average frost date. Place the Basil seeds in well drained soil with lots of organic matter.
| Growing and Using Basilby Jane Lake
Harvesting Basil:
Much of the flavor of basil is lost from the leaves once the plant has set seed, so the best time to harvest is after flower buds have formed but before the flowers actually open. One exception is if you are using the herb to make basil vinegar - in that case, pick some stalks with open flowers, as the white or purple blooms will add color and interest to the bottled vinegar.
 Preserving Basil:
You can dry basil by hanging it in bunches upside down to air dry. However, a better method is to lie sprigs of basil in a single layer on racks or trays. Cover the basil with cheesecloth, then leave in a dry, airy spot out of the sun for a day or so. Store dried basil leaves in airtight jars or sealed plastic bags.
Basil in the Kitchen
Use fresh or dried basil leaves in soups, stews, dips and sauces. Basil is a wonderful addition to meat, fish, rice, pasta, cottage cheese and egg dishes. It is used as part of a fines herbes mixture and is common in Italian cuisine. Basil is excellent in red lentil soup, gazpacho, and to season tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, tomato juice, dressings and sausage. Purple basil is used fresh in salads, and provides nice contrast color in flower arrangements.
Basil is also the prime ingredient in pesto, in which it is blended with pine nuts, oil, and cheese.
Basil Pesto Recipe
2 cups packed basil leaves
Optional - 1/4 cup Italian parsley leaves or 1/2 cup curly parsley
3 cloves garlic
1/2 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 to 1/2 cup olive oil
Mince together in the food processor: basil, parsley (if using), garlic and pine nuts.
Add cheese and process to blend.
Slowly drizzle in oil, processing to a moist paste.
Remove to a small bowl and cover with plastic wrap pressed into the surface to prevent browning. Or pack pesto in a ziplock bag, remove the air, and store in refrigerator for up to one week.
Pesto may be tossed on hot cooked pasta, mixed with equal parts sour cream to use as a dip, or used as a topping for a baked potato. Spread pesto on crackers or toast, or make bruschetta bread by rubbing bread with garlic, brushing with olive oil, topping with pesto and fresh diced tomatoes.
Basil Seed Varieties from Nature Hills Nursery: 
Custom Blend Basil
Price: 1.89 The Basil Custom Blend, 'Ocimum basilicum var; has 7 very unique, flavorful varieties of basil with different flavors, shapes, uses, and fragrances. This very unique blend of basils will provide you with exquisite culinary delights for your kitchen, texture and scent for your flower arrangements, color and form for your flower beds.Plant 1 to 2 weeks after the last average frost date. Place the Basil seeds in well drained soil with lots of organic matter. 
Red Rubin Basil
Price: 1.79
The Basil Red Rubin, 'Ocimum basilicum "Purpurascens', has rich, dark purple leaves that are an exciting contrast in salads, pasta dishes, vinegar, and as an ornamental in the garden. Red Rubin Basil is an improved Dark Opal Basil, a 1992 All America Selections Winner. Red Rubin is much more uniform in color than other purple basils. Plant 1 to 2 weeks after the last average frost date. Place the Basil seeds in well drained soil with lots of organic matter. 
Italian Genovese Basil
Price: 3.49
The Basil Genovese Italian, 'Ocimum basilicum', is widely grown in Italy. Genovese basil has a strong basil flavor and aroma and is a favorite for pesto. There is nothing like the smell of basil. Basil is the smell of summer. Genovese basil will not disappoint the basil lover. It has a particularly strong fragrance and flavor making it excellent for almost any basil dish. Basil should be harvested before the plant flowers. This packet contains 1-160 foot row of seeds. Thats a lot of basil. 
Cinnamon Basil
Price: 1.79 The Basil Cinnamon, 'Ocimum basilicum', has very attractive violet stems and veining with lavender flowers. You can enjoy your summer garden while sipping a cup of cinnamon basil tea. Cinnamon is not just in the name, it is in the aroma and flavor. In addition to being used in all foods where basil has an impact, Cinnamon basil is delightful as a tea or potpourri. Plant 1 to 2 weeks after the last average frost date. Place the Basil seeds in well drained soil with lots of organic matter. |
Growing and using basil; Basil Pesto recipe; buy basil seeds online or learn how learn to grow lemon basil, Italian large leaf basil, cinnamon basil and more.
