Basil spices up summer gardens and recipes

Few summer experiences are as memorable as strolling through an herb garden, brushing past Ocimum basilicum, and inhaling the intoxicating scents of anise, clove, and cinnamon in the warm breeze.

 Ah, the sweet smell of basil!  If aroma were its only attribute, basil would still be a welcome addition to the garden. But, of course, fragrance is just the beginning.

Starting now, gardeners in most areas of the country can count on basils to liven up a variety of summer dishes, provide the essential ingredient for mouth-watering pesto, and add touches of color throughout the landscape.

 Small wonder that basil, called the herbe royale by the French, has become the king of the herb garden in America.

An herb rooted in history

 Basil is a member of the mint family and most likely originated in tropical Asia. The first written history of the herb goes back 4,000 years to when it was grown in Egypt.

While many ancient Greeks thought the fragrant leaves to be cursed, Romans associated basil with love and devotion. It was believed if a man accepted a sprig of basil from a woman, he would love her forever.  A pot of basil seen on a balcony signaled a suitor that the lady welcomed his attentions.

With the diverse legends surrounding basil, the herb was traded across the globe and eventually arrived in America. Sweet basil is one of the herbs mentioned in Colonial garden records.

Basil basics

Although they grow as perennials in their native land, basils should be treated as annuals in most areas of the United States. They are not hardy below 32 degrees F. (0 C) and will usually turn black after the first freeze. 

The tropical origins dictate where basils grow best: a warm, sunny location where plenty of moisture is available. Basils require at least four hours of sun daily and should not be planted until night temperatures are in the upper 50s F. (13 to 15 C).

Basils will tolerate a wide variety of growing conditions but do best when planted in rich, well-drained soil.  To provide proper air circulation and discourage disease, plants should be set about a foot apart. Pinch back the top of the tender stems to encourage a bushier plant.

Keep an eye out for flowers and prune them off immediately to promote further leaf growth.

Water regularly -- at least one inch per week. Basils grow quickly and are heavy feeders, so be sure to give them a dose of liquid fertilizer twice a month. 

If you don’t have room to plant basils outdoors, or if you live in an area where summer evenings are cool, try growing basil in clay pots. It is one of the few flowering herbs traditionally raised as a potted plant. Gardeners in England often presented guests with a pot of basil as a symbol of good wishes.

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