Botanical Name:  Ocinum Basilicum

Family: Labiatae

Type and Use:    Annual herb with edible flowers and leaves

Location:    Full sun to partial shade

Planting Dates:  Spring after last frost

Planting Method: Seed or cuttings

Seed Emergence:  7-14 days

Harvest Time:    Harvest the flowers and foliage any time. Both can be eaten fresh in salads and as garnish or used in teas.

Height: 12-24 inches

Spread: 12-18 inches

Final Spacing:   12-18 inches

Growth Habits:   Whorls of flowers ranging in color from white to dark purple. Tender, leafy annual herb. Easy to grow from seed or transplants. Basil reseeds readily. The leaves are soft and fragrant.

Culture:     Keep the flowers and terminal growth cut back to keep plants compact and healthy. Use a basic organic program and spray at least monthly with Garrett Juice.

Troubles and Solutions:    Caterpillars, leaf hoppers, plant bugs, and grasshoppers. Spray for serious infestations with molasses, compost tea, and citrus oil.

Harvest and Storage:  Harvest and use fresh any time or freeze leaves for winter use. Basil leaves picked at the end of the day will last about twice as long as leaves picked early in the morning. Reason: sugars build during the day. Leaves store well at 60° in plastic bags.

Notes:  The leaves and flowers can be used in herb teas.

Varieties:   Many, and they are all good.