Basil, So Many Choices, So Little Time

Basil, So Many Choices, So Little Time

I’m a Basil lover.  I currently have 6 basil plants growing in my herb garden;

·         2 Sweet Basil Plants

·         1 Thai Basil Plant

·         1 Boxwood Basil Plant

·         1 Greek Basil Plant

·         1 Purple Basil Plant

Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow and harvest. 

There are many different types of basil to grow. Basil is used world-wide for great added flavor to many dishes. Basil may have smooth, crinkled or ruffled leaves. The foliage may be green or purple. It is appreciated for its flavor and aroma and also for its foliage colors and forms. You can try mixing different leaves for a new twist of flavors. Here are the different types of basil and tips on how to grow basil.

DWARF BASIL: These plants are great for tucking into small spaces, containers and window boxes. There are varieties such as Spicy Globe and Fine Green. They are easy to grow and maintain. These compact varieties can grow up to twelve inches tall and they have small leaves. Dwarf basil is also a great plant to use as an edging plant in a flower bed.

SCENTED BASIL: These include plants with cinnamon, lemon, lime, licorice and other flavors. These flavors are infused with the taste and aroma of basil. They have small leaves and grow to about fifteen inches tall. Many people like to grow this type of basil because of the great scents it adds to a home.

PURPLE BASIL: Purple basil is a very attractive addition to a garden. They add a great accent to a salad. They have beautiful purple leaves and their flowers are usually pink or lavender. Some have purple stems as well as purple foliage.

THAI BASIL: This plant tends to be more compact then other basils. It has smaller and thinner leaves. Thai basil has a delicate clove flavor and scent.

ITALIAN BASIL: This basil is the most widely grown and used. It is used commonly in tomato based sauces. Some varieties have smooth green leaves and others have crinkly foliage. This plant usually grows to about fifteen inches tall and is easy to grow and maintain.

After you have decided on which basil to grow, follow these easy instructions for a successful harvest.   You will plant after all signs of frost are gone. Basil needs rich, moist soil so you will need to add compost onto poor or sandy soil. Proper spacing is very important so you will need to plant seeds or plants about twelve inches apart. For the dwarf types, plant about six to eight inches apart. Make sure the soil is moist not wet. Apply mulch to conserve moisture. When plants reach about six inches tall pinch stem tips to promote leaf production. Every two weeks cut stems just above a leaf node. If plants go to flower, cut them back by one-third. You should have great success with your basil plants as long as you make sure the plants have good air circulation and good soil drainage. You can also give them a monthly feeding of a nutrient rich fertilizing of fish-emulsion and seaweed solution.

Here are some pictures of the most common Basil plants and what they are used for:

Sweet Basil

Sweet Basil and Classic Italian basil can be used in tomato sauce, pesto and salads.

Thai Basil 

Thai Basil is more tender and more intensely flavored than Sweet Basil. Thai basil seeds are highly aromatic with a licorice-basil aroma.  Thai basil is great in both Thai and Italian recipes. It is also a wonderful container plant with late flowering and reaches a height of 24″.

Round Midnight Basil 

Round Midnight Basil This highly aromatic purple leaf basil is a hybrid, with shiny leaves and its dense habit promises a summer of fragrant and tasty pleasure. This is a garden attention-getter, with each plant full and round, 10-12″ tall, 8-10″ across, with showy spikes of light purple blooms.

Lemon Basil 

Lemon Basil – An attractive plant, spreading silver-green leaves with a lemony aroma and flavor for potpourris, tea, chicken, fish, vegetables and herb vinegars. Lemon Basil is native to northwest India.

Greek Basil

Greek Basil is native to Southeast Asia.  Greek basil has been used in cooking and for fragrances for centuries. This plant was brought to Europe in the Middle Ages and it has thrived in the Mediterranean region, as well as by the Caspian and Black Seas. Greek basil consists of tiny leaves on dome shaped, 8″ tall plants. This basil is great with tomatoes, in salads or sauces and is especially interesting in the garden.

Cardinal Basil 

Cardinal Basil flaunts a unique scent, rich and heady with a touch of spice. Strong, deep burgundy stems hold the flowers above the smooth, bright green leaves, ensuring a vibrant show throughout the summer even as you continue harvesting fresh leaves. Cardinal Basil is a beautiful standout in the herb patch and a flavorful addition to the ornamental bed.

Boxwood Basil

Boxwood Basil - Tight mounds of small leaves that resemble boxwood plants make a highly ornamental edging for the patio or for a container by the kitchen door. Boxwood basil is bred in France for a highly flavorful pesto ingredient. It is a beautiful basil variety that makes a fine garden companion.

Summerlong Basil

Summerlong Basil - Very compact, tight bushes, slow to bolt, densely covered with shiny, bright green leaves. Great for pots and ornamental edging in vegetable beds.

Lime Basil

Lime Basil A rare and hard to find seed variety. Lime basil is sweet and fragrant with a mild citrus taste. The lime scent of the bright green, lance-shaped leaves pair perfectly with lemon basil, for a full explosion of tangy fresh flavor. Excellent for flavoring sauces, dressings and desserts.