Basil: A Flavorful Herb for Your Garden and Kitchen
Few herbs tantalize the taste buds or jazz up the garden like basil.
Basil, a member of the mint family, is an annual herb that thrives in hot weather. Once planted, you can enjoy its spicy, licorice-flavored leaves for months. Not only does basil provide a tasty edible crop, but it also adds beauty to summer landscaping.
Joyce Smith, a Fullerton gardener and volunteer for the Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum, highlights its ornamental appeal. “Many basil leaves are bright green and glossy, and there are beautiful purple-foliage varieties,” she said. Basil also has flower stalks that come in shades of white, purple, and pink. It is a fast-growing plant, typically reaching about 2 1/2 feet tall and spreading a foot and a half.
How Basil Became Popular
Once thought of as a herb mainly for Italian dishes, basil has gained popularity in recent years for its versatility. As Joyce Smith notes, “Pesto used to be the reason why people grew basil, but now we’ve discovered that it can be added to almost anything.”
Basil is not only a great addition to tomato dishes but also tastes great on fish, chicken, vegetables, and fruit. It can be eaten raw in salads, and many scented basils also make a delightful tea. Additionally, basil can be dried for use in potpourri.
Varieties of Basil
Basil comes in various types, including:
- Smooth-leafed varieties
- Varieties with ruffled leaves
- Basil with large or small leaves
- Red-leafed basils
- Scented basils with flavors like cinnamon, lemon, and anise
- Miniature basils that thrive in containers
The History of Basil
Basil’s past has been somewhat mixed. In ancient Greece and early Europe, it was thought to be poisonous because scorpions were often found living in the plants. However, once the Italians discovered basil’s culinary potential, it gained popularity as a sign of courtship and love. In England, it was even considered an aphrodisiac.
Despite its tumultuous history in Europe, basil has always been revered in Thailand, where it grows wild and is an essential ingredient in many national dishes.
How to Plant and Grow Basil
To plant basil and enjoy a prolific crop, keep the following tips in mind:
- Planting Time: Wait until soil and nighttime temperatures are 55°F or above, usually in mid-May. Before this time, germinate seeds indoors in a sunny location.
- Location: Choose a site with full sun. Basil will become leggy in shade and produce fewer leaves.
- Soil: Basil thrives in rich, well-draining soil. Amend the planting site with 50% compost and 50% existing soil.
- Plant Spacing: When planting basil transplants, separate them carefully so that each planting hole has a single plant to promote healthy growth.
- Thinning: If planting seeds, thin the seedlings to 2 inches apart once they reach 2 to 3 inches in height.
Care and Maintenance
- Fertilizer: Avoid over-fertilizing. Use compost for nutrients, and feed basil with a balanced organic fertilizer at the beginning of the season.
- Watering: Keep basil well-watered but avoid soggy soil to prevent root rot. Water deeply about once a week, and never overhead water to avoid leaf diseases.
- Harvesting: Start harvesting when plants reach 6 inches high and have 6 to 8 pairs of leaves. Cut stems back to 2 to 4 leaves, which encourages more growth.
- Prevent Flowering: To extend basil’s life, prevent it from flowering. Once basil flowers, it enters seed-production mode and stops growing. Cut stems back to 2 to 4 leaves before they flower.
Growing Basil in Containers
Basil thrives in containers, especially when using plastic pots that retain moisture better than other materials. A container at least 5 inches in diameter and 7 inches deep is ideal for a single basil plant. For larger containers, such as a half barrel, you can grow up to three plants.
Conclusion
Basil is a versatile, easy-to-grow herb that offers both culinary and aesthetic benefits. With proper care and attention, basil can provide fresh, flavorful leaves for months, making it a must-have for any garden or kitchen.
