What's growing in the herb garden?

Sweet Basil

BASIL

Ocimum basilicum, or Basil, is a wonderful herb which is grown in most herb gardens. Its aromatic leaves are used fresh and dried as flavorings in sauces, stews, salad dressings, vegetables, poultry and vinegars.

Cultivation:   Basil is a low growing herb, typically growing under 2 feet tall, and has pale green leaves and large white flowers. Basil will grow in average garden soil, as long as it is well drained. If you feel the need to fertilize, compost is recommended over any type of chemical fertilizer.   Basil is an annual when grown in the Bluegrass because it is very cold sensitive. At the first hint of frost, it will shrivel and die. During the growing months, Basil is very thirsty and will wilt when soil moisture is low.

Propagation: Basil is easily propagated by stem cuttings. Snip off several stems at least 5 inches long and strip off the lower 2/3 of the leaves. Suspend the cuttings in a jar of fresh water and roots will usually appear within 2 to 3 weeks. Transplant cuttings straight into the garden, or into a pot for indoor growing.  You can also allow basil to go to seed near the end of the growing season and save the seeds for germination the following spring.

Harvesting: The plant part harvested depends upon what you want to use it for. When Basil is grown for its dried leaves, it is cut just prior to the appearance of flowers. For essential oil, it is harvested during full bloom. The best time of day to pick the leaves is late morning or early afternoon to make sure the leaves are dry.

Medicinal uses: Basil has been used as a medicinal plant for centuries in treating headaches, coughs, diarrhea, constipation, warts, worms, and kidney malfunctions. It has also been used as a stimulant and insect repellent. and the oils of basil have antibacterial properties.

Culinary uses: Basil is one of the main ingredients in pesto - a green Italian oil-and-herb sauce. Basil is sometimes used with fresh fruit and in fruit jams and sauces, especially raspberries and strawberries.

Fresh Basil Pesto Recipe

Ingredients
--2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
--1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
--1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
--1/3 cup pine nuts 
--3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced
--Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Special equipment needed: A food processor
Instructions
1.) Combine the basil and the pine nuts; pulse a few times in a food processor. Add the garlic, pulse a few times more.

2.) Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on. Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. Add the grated cheese and pulse again until blended. Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Makes 1 cup.  Serve with pasta, or over baked potatoes, or spread over toasted baguette slices.

Different varieties of Basil:

Sweet basils: Sweet, Genovese, Large-leaf, Mammoth
Purple foliage basils: Dark Opal, Purple Ruffles
Lemon basils: Lemon-Scented, Lemon, Sweet Dani
Others: Cinnamon basil, Spicy Bush, Camphor, Anise, Licorice, Thai

Also check out my recent article on Sage