Sweet Basil
Sweet
Basil is used for landscaping, medicinal and culinary purposes.
If there is a royal herb, this is it. Basil originated in India and Iran
and was brought to the Mediterranean via the spice routes in ancient times.
It is most commonly associated with Italian cuisine and Thailand curries.
The derivation of the name is uncertain but usually attributed to the Greek
meaning "to be fragrant." The strong aromatic scent of the leaves
is much like cloves.
In Italy, basil is thought of as a sign of love. In Romania if a young
lady offers a young man a sprig of basil, and he accepts, they are officially
engaged. Some people believe if you put some basil in your wallet, you
will attract money, success and prosperity. In India it was thought to
be a sacred herb. They believed that if a leaf of basil was buried with
them, the basil leaf would be their passport to heaven.
Planting
No herb garden is complete without sweet basil. From seed it takes 85
days to mature. Sow indoors 8 to 12 weeks before the last frost or outdoors
after the last frost. Use transplants and you can enjoy it almost immediately.
Space transplants 8 - 12" apart. They grow quickly and can be harvested
all summer. Use cuttings to grow more plants. Pinch the centers as the
plants grow to encourage bushiness.
Basil can be grown in pots indoors all year round but can be a challenge.
Water regularly and spray with water.
Tips
It can be propagated from cuttings. Leaves are best picked before flowers
appear. To delay flowering, pinch stems back to 4 sets of leaves as flower
buds form. Avoid washing basil unless necessary, as mold forms quickly
on damp leaves.
Use fresh or dried leaves in soups, salads, stews, sauces, vegetables
and pasta dishes. Basil partners well with tomatoes. Basil leaves can
be eaten raw in salads and with the famous Italian bruscetta.
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