Add Photo to Journal
|
|
| Photo Credit: ©Pennystone Gardens |
| Basil is easy to grow from seed: Plant seeds just below the surface (about 1/8 inch) in a warm location and give them sun. |
Lovely, tasty and aromatic. You guessed it – I’m talking about basil! In fact, this savory plant is touted as one of the most widely used herbs worldwide, and it’s certainly one of the most popular in the US! And that’s a lot to say for an herb that’s an annual north of USDA hardiness Zone 10.
If it weren’t for its distinctive smell, it would be difficult to recognize all the different kinds of basil (Ocimum basilicum). The herb’s 60-some species and cultivars vary in color, size and shape, and almost every single one of them will add beauty to your landscape, as well as bliss to your palate. Most basils bloom with small, white flowers, but they can also be pink, lavender or purple, with plants growing anywhere from 6 inches to 3 feet tall. Leaves range from a mint color to dark green to purple and grow in size from tiny to large – some are even ruffled! Native to Asia and India and cultivated for more than 5,000 years, basil has had every opportunity to become entrenched in many cultures. Many people grow it as a perennial in the tropics, as well as an annual in kitchen gardens around the world. It’s well-known for its use in Italian cooking (as well as Thai, Vietnamese and Indian cuisine), but basil is also ornamental and aromatic. In fact, the cosmetic industry uses it extensively in shampoos, perfumes and soaps. The chemicals comprising the essential oils of different basils are what give each plant a distinct aroma and flavor. Some of the most common chemicals are methyl chavicol, providing a sweet flavor, and eugenol and linalool for scent. Other chemicals in basil attract pollinators, and still others repel flying and chewing insects. If you’ve never grown basil before, just follow a few basics and you’ll have tasty dishes all summer (and leaves to preserve for later use or as potpourri). Start with one of the varieties of the most popular type, sweet basil. It’s a nutritious plant, low in calories, almost fat-free and a good source of vitamins and antioxidants. | Add Photo to Journal |  | | Photo Credit: Burpee | | Originally bred in France for a highly flavorful pesto base, ‘Boxwood’ is a new variety from Burpee. |
There are lots of varieties of to choose from:
● ‘Boxwood’ is a tight plant, growing just 8-14 inches tall. It’s new for 2008 and makes a great ornamental edging for the patio or would be perfect for a small container by the kitchen door. ● ‘Cinnamon’ reaches 24-30 inches tall, and like its name suggests, it provides a sweet cinnamon scent and spicy flavor. This herb’s got pink or lavender flowers and large leaves, making it a great addition to your garden, as well as bouquets!
|