How to Grow Great Basil

Growing herbs in your garden is a wonderful way to save money. It also provides fresh ingredients for your recipes. Here are some tips to help you grow great basil in your home garden.

Basil is a perennial in mild climates and an annual in the northern states of the US. The seeds should be started inside ab out 6 to 8 weeks before you plan to plant them in your garden. They can also be sewn in your garden after the last frost of the season, if you choose. There are many varieties of basil to choose from. These can include sweet, lemon, cinnamon, and anise-flavored. Basil also comes with leaves in many colors, shapes, textures, and sizes. The basil plants can grow up to two feet tall, depending on the variety you have in your garden.

Plant basil seeds or seedlings in average soil. They should be in sun or partial shade. If you are in a location that experiences cool temperatures, you will probably have to plant new plants each year. If you would like to help the basil self-seed you can cut back the plants in the fall. Cover them lightly for the cold winter months. When the warm months are back, look for new shoots. The plants can be encouraged to be more busy if you pinch and clip off the ends of the branches through the summer. Use mulch around the seedlings to keep the moisture and warmth in the soil. It will also discourage weeds from growing and competing for resources in the soil.

You can use basil leaves in any green salad. They are especially delicious when used with tomatoes. The leaves can be harvested as soon as the plant has become established. Just pluck a few leaves when you need to use them, throughout the summer. In the fall, the entire plant can be pulled up, if you live in cold temperatures and do not believe they will come up the next growing season. The leaves can be dried and stored in jars for winter use. You can also freeze basil leaves. Because the leaves are quite fleshy, basil will need a few more weeks more drying time than most herbs. You can grow varieties that have purple leaves to add color to your recipes.

Growing fresh herbs in your garden is a wonderful feeling. There is nothing like going out in your back yard and picking fresh herbs to use in your recipes. When the herbs you are putting into your dishes are still warm from the sun, you know they are fresh and clean. Hopefully, these tips will help you grow as much basil as you and your family can enjoy.

SOURCE

Editors "Better Homes and Gardens" magazine. "New Garden Book". 1990. Better Homes and Gardens Books. Des Moines, Iowa.

Editors of Rodale Organic Gardening Magazine and Books. "Rodale Organic Gardening Basics: Herbs Volume 5". 2001. Pennsylvania, USA.