Sweet basil is the most popular variety, but dark opal basil is increasing in popularity as it is more decorative and can still be used in cooking. It smells and tastes wonderful and June is a good time to begin growing basil.
Basil is widely planted in home gardens because it’s fast growing, high yielding and very rewarding. It is a warm-weather plant. Basil growing easily from seed but requires toasty warm soil for germination (24 to 28 ° C) and reliably warm air temperatures throughout its productive life.
Basil may suffer cold injury if temperatures dip below 10 ° C. Give it average soil, plenty of water and as much sun as it can. Soil that is too rich, however, will result in fewer essential oils and a weaker flavor and fragrance.
Plant seeds a week or two after the last spring frost date, covering them lightly with sand or fine-textured soil about 1/8 inch deep. Each basil plant needs 1 sq. ft of growing space. Basil leaves are tender so harden off seedlings adequately.
The leaves can be removed any time, but preferably young. Take off the tops as the flowers open. The whole plant can be dried at the start of winter. The leaves may be removed as required or culinary use and the seed heads taken off for potpourris.
When harvest basil, don’t cut more than half of the plant at once and always cut right above a leaf pair. To prolong the life of the plant through the growing season don’t let the basil flower. As it form flower spike it will grow lanky and once it sets it will begin to die off.
Growing basil (Ocimum basilicum)
