Description

Fresh basil is one of summer garden’s best crops,

The sweet, fresh flavour adds to a variety of dishes is hard to match.

Basil is a mainstay aromatic culinary herb grown for its foliage. It features heavily in Italian cuisine, as well as many Asian dishes

PREPARE

Basil is a relatively quick herb to grow. It can be a fussy herb as it hates having its feet wet, and also cold and damp weather, hence it is a warm season crop.

A sunny windowsill is an ideal spot to grow basil in cooler areas, or a greenhouse if you have one. In warm areas, basil can be grown outside year-round, but it most parts of the country it’s a summer and autumn crop.

PLANT

The better the soil, the better your plants will grow. If you are starting with an existing garden bed dig in organic matter. The best times to plant are early in the morning or late in the day, so the plants aren’t exposed to the hot sun straight away. Always water plants well before and after planting.

Don’t be shy when planting herbs as they quite like close neighbours, and you can always plant herbs in between other plants as they make great space fillers and companion plants.

Basil improves the flavour of tomatoes when planted alongside.

NOURISH

Feed your herbs with fertilizer. Well-watered, well-nourished herbs will have a better chance of keeping insect pests and diseases at bay.

Over summer basil is prone to go to seed. To avoid, water your basil consistently, regularly pick, remove flowers and remove parts of the plant that go to seed.