Propagation

Seed: Avoid using seed trays because basil has a long tap root and dislikes being transplanted. Plugs also help minimize damping off, to which all basil plants are prone. Water well at midday in dry weather, even when transplanted into pots or containers: basil hates going to bed wet. This minimizes damping off and will prevent root rot, a hazard when air temperature is still dropping at night.

Plant out seedlings when large enough to handle and all danger of frost has passed. The soil needs to be rich and well drained, and the situation warm and sheltered. Prolific growth will only be obtained usually in the greenhouse or in large pots on a sunny patio.

Plant basil amongst your tomatoes because:

• being a good companion plant, it repels flying insects
• you will remember to use fresh basil with your tomatoes
• you will remember to water it
• the situation will be warm
• whenever you pick tomatoes, you will tend to pick basil, which will encourage bushy growth and prevent flowering, which in turn stops the stems becoming woody resulting in a bitter leaf taste.

Garden Cultivation: Basil can only be problematic in areas susceptible to frost and where it is not possible to provide for its great need for warmth and nourishment. In such areas, plant out after the frosts have finished; choose a well drained, rich soil in a warm, sunny corner, protected from the wind.

Red Rubin Basil

Thai Lime Basil

Basil leaves are an aid to digestion

Tear basil leaves and sprinkle over green salads

Use the tiny leaves of Greek Basil to
make a herb butter

Uses:

Medicinal: Once prescribed as a sedative against gastric spasms and as an expectorant and laxative, basil is rarely used in herbal medicines today. However, leaves added to food are an aid to digestion and if you put a few drops of basil's essential oil on a sleeve and inhale, it can allay mental fatigue. For those that need a zing it can aso be used to make a very refreshing bath vinegar, which also acts as an antiseptic.

Culinary: Basil has an unique flavour, so newcomers should use it with discretion otherwise it will dominate other flavours. It is one of the few herbs to increase its flavour when cooked. For best results, add at the very end of cooking.

Hints and ideas:

• tear the leaves, rather than chop. Sprinkle over green salads or fresh tomatoes
• basil combines wonderfully with garlic. Tear into French salad dressing.
• Use lime basil to accompany a fish dish - it has highly aromatic lime fragrant leaves
• Add to a cold rice or pasta salad
• Mix cream cheese with any of the basils and use in baked potatoes.
• Use the tiny leaves of Greek Basil to make a herb butter, because you can keep them whole.
• Stuff chicken with a combination of Sweet Basil,crushed garlic, breadcrumbs, lemon peel, beaten eggs and chopped nuts.
• Make your own Pesto Sauce!

Other uses: Keep it in a pot in the kitchen to act as a fly repellant, or crush a leaf and rub it onto your skin, where the juice repels mosquitoes.

How to Order: we currently grow over 15 varieties
of Basil. The herb farm team's favourites are listed below, or use our Search page to see all of the varities grown organically here on the farm.

Click on each image for more info':

Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' Cinnamon Basil
Ocimum minimum 'Greek' Greek Basil
Ocimum americanum Lime Basil, Thai Lime Basil
Ocimum basilicum var. purpurascens 'Red Rubin' Red Rubin Basil
Ocimum x citriodorum 'Siam Queen' Siam Queen Basil
Ocimum basilicum Sweet Basil