Plant Sweet Basil for the Kitchen

SWEET BASIL (OCIMUM BASILICUM) ONE OF THE EASIEST TO GROW AND USE IS THE ANNUAL HERB KNOWN AS BASIL. IT HAS LONG BEEN USED A CULINARY HERB IN EUROPE. BASIL COMES IN MANY VARIETIES. THE LEAVES RANGE IN COLOR FROM LIGHT GREEN TO DARK PURPLE. IT IS THE LEAVES THAT ARE USED IN COOKING. BASIL IS EASILY GROWN FROM SEED THAT IS SOWN IN THE SPRING AFTER THE LAST FROSTS. IT PREFERS A SANDY LOAM SOIL RICH IN ORGANIC MATTER THAT DRAINS WELL., FULL SUN WITH SOME AFTERNOON SHADE WILL PROVIDE OPTIMUM GROWING CONDITIONS, TRANSPLANTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL NURSERIES. THE FLAVORS OF BASIL ARE NUMEROUS. LEMON, CITRUS, ANISE AND REGULAR ARE THE MOST POPULAR. BASIL HAS VERY FEW PEST PROBLEMS. BASIL FLOWERS READILY AND THE FLOWER HEADS SHOULD BE REMOVED TO PROMOTE CONTINUED LEAF GROWTH. BASIL CAN BE USED FRESH OR COOKED. IT DOES NOT DRY WELL.. SALADS, PESTO, SAUCES, VINEGARS AND OILS ALL BENEFIT WITH THE ADDITION OF BASIL..