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Introduction
The essential ingredient in traditional pesto! A flavor of summer no herb garden should be without. Pinch off these fragrant herbs to pair with tomatoes and mozzerella for a quick caprese dinner salad.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an essential ingredient in many Mediterranean foods. Although basil grows easily from seed, you should plant seedlings if you're eager for herbs in early summer. To increase leaf yield, pinch back and use the leaves in cooking—the leaves near the top are the sweetest. When the plant flowers, remove the bloom to increase leaf production. Space plants about one foot apart. Most varieties grow to about 2 feet tall. Good basils to try are:'Sweet Green', 'Spicy Globe', or'Cinnamon'.
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Care guides: Basil
Need help taking care of your Basil? Take a look at our care guides and learn how to make your garden flourish!
Top Basil articles
Here are our favorite Basil articles and resources. Be sure to check out the Basil Articles and Posts tab for more Basil posts and content!
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amazing markers and stakes
by FigTree on January 26, 2010
So I was very inspired by one of the photos tha... read more
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Drying your herbs for cooking
by dig the dirt editor on January 12, 2010
herbs | perrenial herbs | annual herbs | tender... read more
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building a potted herb garden: weekend project
by dig the dirt editor on January 12, 2010
herbs | general care | overwintering herbs |... read more
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choosing a planting site for your herbs
by dig the dirt editor on January 12, 2010
herbs | general care | overwintering herbs| ... read more
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How to build a raised vegetable bed; video and instructions
by dig the dirt editor on January 07, 2010
Building a raised vegetable bed for your garden... read more
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getting started with starting seeds
by dig the dirt editor on December 21, 2009
Raising plants fr... read more
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Grocery Gardening
by dig the dirt editor on December 11, 2009
With the combined efforts of powerhouses Jean A... read more
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Tips for a Successful Kitchen Garden
by dig the dirt editor on April 24, 2009
Dream big, plant small. If you don’... read more
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The Kitchen Garden: Basics
by dig the dirt editor on April 24, 2009
Get An Early Start | Warm Weather Crops |... read more
Basil spotlight
sweet basil
'Horapha' sweet basil (often referred to as Thai basil) is a highly ornamental and aromatic tropical basil. Exotic flavor is redolent of sweet spices combined with the clove-mint scent and taste of basil. 'Horapha' sweet basil grows up to two feet tall with three inch leaves, distinctive purple stems and large showy, purple flower whorls. -- edited by dtd pbcouchman
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latest member posts
Posts on Basil
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urban garden | building raised beds
by dig the dirt editor on November 10, 2010
For your urban garden, it is best to make these... read more
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cherry tomato and herb stir fry
by dig the dirt editor on September 15, 2010
This recipe is especially appetizing if you us... read more
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Interesting Jam and Jelly!
by Ama Perry-Burns on July 12, 2010
Aw.. today has been very busy. We, my mother a... read more
Basil Q&A
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How is fresh cut basil stored. Answer this
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What should I use to keep pests off my herbs?by dig the dirt editor | (1 answer)Answer this
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