Basil 'Ocimum basilicum'

Written by Angus Stewart

Using Basil in the Kitchen

Basil is one of the more distinctive culinary herbs that are a superb addition to various salad dishes, particularly those involving tomatoes and mushrooms. Basil is also a must have herb for summer as it goes hand in hand with the tomato dishes that are so useful at that time of year. It is an easily grown annual plant that is grown from seed sown any time from late winter through spring such that frost periods are avoided. As well as combining well with tomatoes it is great for pasta sauces such as pesto and also in certain soup recipes.

Growing Basil

Basil is best grown as an annual as it is very easily raised from seed and grows very rapidly if given optimum growing conditions. Sow the seed directly into its permanent position in a sunny area where the soil is well drained. An alternative is to purchase a punnet of seedlings that can be transplanted straight into the garden or into pots in a sunny position in almost any soil type. For potted plants a premium potting mix will also produce a bumper crop, especially if you use a complete liquid fertilizer every few weeks. Try to select plants that will stand up well when separated from the punnet.

When the plant is 10cm or more in height it is a good practice to pinch out the growing tip. The more tips you remove the bushier your plant will become. A handful of slow release fertiliser or well-rotted manure at planting time will provide enough nutrients to see the plant through to harvest. Individual leaves can be removed as they reach maturity or else the whole plant can be harvested before it starts to flower. In order to increase the yield of leaves any flower buds that appear should be pinched out before they mature. This will also help to stimulate a bushy growth habit. When the plant stops producing new leaf growth the whole plant can be harvested towards the end of summer.

Pinching the tip on a young basil plant

There are several varieties of basil available with all being suitable for general culinary purposes.

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