Are you a fan of pesto or pad thai?
Growing basil is easy and quickly rewards a gardener with lush, fragranced foliage.
There are several basil varieties, but they live happily in similar conditions.
Depending on the variety, it will have sweet, small white-ish flowers beginning as early as June.
Design idea: plan to bump into your basil on occasion to release that amazing smell.
Soil: On the rich side, and definitely well drained.
Space the seeds 8-12 inches apart, cover them with just a 1/4 inch of dirt.
Put the tray on a seedling hat mat or in a warmish spot.
Theyll be up in a week or two.
Thai basil has pungent anise undertones and purple stems, both gorgeous and favorful.
Ive had good luck with Queen of Siam, but am continuing to experiment.
A fiend for color?
There are red and purple leaved basil varieties out there.
Seeds of Change has a marvelous high yield Ren Rubin purple basil.
Try Greek basil, Fino Verde basil, or the variety Minimum.
Many Thai curries push this line, and then use coconut to step back from the heat.
To flavor oils or vinegars, steep sprigs of basil in the bottles.
A natural marriage withthyme,parsley, andgarlic.
