About Basil Gardening
Basil is an attractive and aromatic herb. This plant is easy to grow and useful for a variety of purposes. Cooks will enjoy including basil in their garden for its culinary uses. Gardeners may enjoy basil for its attractive flowers and sweet scent. Does this Spark an idea?
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Features
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Basil is an annual herb that originated in India. It is famous for its uses in Italian cooking. This herb is a member of the mint family and comes in several varieties. The leaves are the part most commonly used in cooking, however the flowers and buds are edible as well. Most varieties grow to about 3 feet in height, though sweet basil can grow as tall as 6 feet. Some dwarf varieties are only 6 inches tall. Basil is often planted near tomatoes as it is believed to give them a richer flavor.
Types
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There are many different types of basil. One of the most common is sweet basil, which has a lemony mint flavor. Genovese is a variety that is similar in taste to sweet basil, but provides larger leaves. The Mexican spice variety of basil has a spicy, cinnamon scent and purple flowers. Red rubin basil has a strong flavor and purple color. Lemon basil, appropriately, has a stronger lemony taste. The Italian varieties of basil are usually easy to find in garden centers. Other varieties may need to be started from seeds.
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Considerations
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Basil plants love heat and prefer warm, sunny weather. Though they can grow in many locations, the best season is is when the temperatures are consistently in the 70s during the day, and in the 50s at night. The plants should be spaced at least 10 inches apart. Seeds will need to be started indoors and should be allowed to grow for 6 weeks before they are transplanted outside. Plants should be fertilized once a week before transplanting. Once they are outside, they should be fertilized every 2 to 3 weeks. Basil plants prefer rich soil and should be watered frequently.
Function
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When it comes to basil plants, the more often you harvest, the more basil you will get. With young plants, the tops should be pinched off when they reach 6 inches in height. You should diligently keep the plants cut back. Plants should be cut down to the first two sets of leaves at least every fo4 ur weeks. You can cut them back sooner if they grow particularly fast or show signs of flowering. When basil is harvested frequently, a single plant will yield about 20 cups of leaves each season.
Benefits
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Basil shouldn't be relegated just to vegetable or herb gardens. They can make a beautiful edging for any garden and certain flowering varieties make an attractive addition to flower gardens. Basil plants are relatively easy to grow and are very useful for a variety of culinary purposes. For the most flavor, leaves should be torn, not chopped. Basil can be dried or frozen for later use, or used fresh. This herb is usually added to dishes late in the cooking process to preserve its taste and color. It is a common addition to tomato sauce, vinegar and pesto. Though it is most famous for its uses in Italian cooking, basil can also be served fresh in salads or on sandwiches.
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