Basil

Pungent basil leaves fresh from the summer herb garden offer aroma and taste in a myriad of dishes. Normally thought of as Italian or Mediterranean, basil originated in Africa and southern Asia—India, Thailand, and Vietnam. Among the many different varieties and flavors, there is a slight difference in levels of essential oils. Numerous varieties are easy to grow in pots or in the ground.

Varieties

Sweet basil is a large-leafed, Mediterranean variety, the primary culinary basil used in Italian cuisine. It grows to a height of 2-2½ ft.
Purple or opal basil is similar to sweet basil, but with dark bronze-purple leaves and pink flowers, a welcome color contrast in the garden and in dishes, though not visually suitable for pesto. A somewhat more tender variety, it grows to about the same height as sweet basil.
Lemon or lime basil is a smaller plant to 12 in. with white flowers and a mild citrus aroma paired with many types of foods.
Greek or globe basil is another smaller 6-12 in. plant with tiny, compact leaves , soft stems, and a spicy character useful in salads. Its compact size makes it a good container plant, and its hardiness allows it to thrive in poor conditions.
Cinnamon basil is another spicy variety with a pronounced flavor. It grows to 18-30 in.
Thai basil can be recognized by its unusual serrated leaf and spiciness with licorice overtones. Used in Thai and Indian cooking, it grows to 2-3 ft.
A few types of perennial basils exist, but all types for culinary use are annuals.

Cultivation and Care

Basil is quite sensitive to cold and is best grown in hot, summer sun.
Germination depends on warm soil and air above 75 degrees.
Basil seed can be sown indoors or in a greenhouse in May and planted out in June in Sonoma County after days are warm. Plant-to-harvest is about 10 weeks.
Basil cuttings may be rooted in a glass of water and then transplanted into pots or the garden.
Grow basil in well-drained soil enriched with compost in full sun. Frequent harvesting of the outer leaves prolongs life of the plant and makes it bushier.
Cover warm soil with mulch to keep weeds at bay and preserve moisture.
Maintain even moisture but avoid overwatering , especially on seedlings.
Once basil flower stalks appear, leaf production slows and essential oil production declines. Unless you are looking for seeds or a few flowers for decoration, pinch off any flower stems before they mature.

Pest Control

Some pests can be deterred by covering plants with woven row covers. (See links below.)
Whiteflies and aphids can be controlled by dislodging them with a strong stream of water or spraying with a natural insecticidal soap.
Slugs can be controlled with bait or by removing by hand.

Additional Information

April 2022