Basil

Name Origin:

Signifies royal or kingly most likely due to the plant's use in feasts. In France it is known as herb royale and the generic name is derived from Oza - a Greek word meaning odor. Read more on the History of Basil
 

Natural Order:

Labiatæ
 

Growing Cycle:

Biennial or Perennial Herb
 

Origins:

Native of tropical Asia. Used for centuries in India as a condiment.
 

Height:

12 - 20 inches tall
 

Flowers:

Little white or lilac (purple basil) flowers followed by small black berries containing the seeds.
 

Common Cultivars:

Dwarf or bush basil, sacred basil, east indian or tree basil, purple basil, and lettuce-leaved basil.
 

Fun Fact.

During the reigns of Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, farmers complimented visiting landladies with the presentation of a potted basil plant.
 
 

Basil seeds are viable for about 8 years and are tiny; about 23,000 basil seeds weigh an ounce.
 

Sowing Basil Seeds.

Due to their small size, basil seeds are best sown in flats with a light covering of soil. Water flats from the bottom until surface shows a wet spot. When basil seedlings are about an inch tall, thin so that each plant is two inches apart.
 

Transplantation.

Once your basil seedlings are 3 inches tall, transplant to your garden where they should be planted a foot apart in rows separated by 15 to 18 inches. Can be also used as border plants, but this may require a bit more tending and removal of weeds between the plants. Basil prefers a sunny location with light fertile and somewhat dry soil that's as free from weeds as possible. When plants in adjoining rows meet, cultivation may stop.
 

Harvest.

You can begin gathering foilage in midsummer when the plants start to flower (once the basil plants flower the flavor decreases) by cutting individual basil leaves or leafy stems. If you harvest/cut the plants back every few weeks, it will encourage new growth and dealy flowering. To extend the growing season, cut plants down to within a few inches of the ground to get a second and even a third crop. A little bit of fertilizer after pruning is helpful.
 

Basil Propagation.

Allow some of the strongest plants to remain uncut. Seeds should be ripe by mid-autumn.
 

Winter/Indoor Use.

Transplant from the garden or sow seeds in early September. Sow seeds two to the inch and transplant seedlings into pots or boxes. A standard 4-inch pot is the perfect size for a single plant. If grown in flats, basil plants should be spaced 5 to 6 inches apart in each direction.
 

Leaves.

Basil leaves are used in many dishes including soups, stews, and dressings.
 

Oil.

Basil oil, a golden yellow essential oil, reddens with age and is mainly used for perfumery than cooking.