If I had to grow only one herb each year, it would be sweet basil. I've developed a bit of an obsession for it, and I plant a couple of dozen plants each year. I plant some among my tomato plants, as I've read that they are ideal as companion planting partners. I haven't noticed whether growing basil near the tomatoes affects the number of whiteflies or hornworms. I also plant half a dozen plants just outside my kitchen door, so I can easily pinch off a bunch as I'm cooking, and I pinch them back frequently to encourage a bushy plant.

At the end of the summer, when I see that they are desperately trying to blossom and set seed, despite my efforts to pinch off the flower buds as quickly as they form, I surrender to the inevitable. I harvest about 2/3 of the plants, and chop the fresh leaves. I put them in a designated set of ice cube trays, packing as much as I can into each cell, and then cover with water or olive oil. My family knows never to make ice cubes in the blue trays, unless they want basil flavored ice! Once they are frozen, I pop them out and seal them in a ziplock freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. They are ready to drop into a pan of tomato sauce or stew, or to thaw and sprinkle over a homemade pizza.

The remaining third of the plants I allow to set seed. If I'm particularly attentive, I even remember to go collect the seed, so I can use my own seed to start next year's crop.

Reply to this comment

For a few years I've grown Basil in a container on the patio. I always bought them as small starts and grew them organically. I've always loved the way the leaves and plant are shaped. Nice green color too. When I'd touch and rub the leaves, I'd get a wonderful smell that I've always enjoyed.

Reply to this comment

Basil is native to India.
This sweet basil is the one most often used in Italian cooking.
It is easy to start from seed and prefers warm soil, so don't start too early, or you can choose to start indoors and then transplant out after all frost is over. It is very sensitive to frost and is damaged easily.
Keep it harvested (picked) to keep it from flowering . The flavor is best (sweetest) before flowers start.

A good companion plant for tomatoes, repels several insects, and is ''said'' to enhance the flavor of the tomatoes (not so sure about the flavor thing unless you pick and cook the basil with the tomatoes)

Reply to this comment

This is a must have every year. It is easy to grow and I love the scent. Bees and hummingbirds love the flowers in summer, goldfinches love eating the seeds out of the buds in fall, and adding dried deadheaded buds to my smoker's firebox adds a nice flavor to my smoked meats.

Reply to this comment

The herb garden standard. Wonderful flavor. It is no accident that the placement of my grill is not very far from where I grow my herbs.

Reply to this comment