How to grow

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Background

Basil goes back a loooooong way.

Originating in India, the Basil as we know it has been around for over 4,000 years. Throughout history, basil was believed to have almost magical powers.

Basil has been found in Egyptian mummies as the Ancient Egyptians used this herb for embalming. In Greece, basil was a symbol of mourning. The herb was referred to as basileus phuton, meaning magnificent, royal or kingly herb.

In India, this herb was considered a powerful protector. They planted it around their temples and placed it with the dead to protect them in the afterlife.

In Crete, basil was considered an emblem of the devil. They placed this herb on their window ledges to help ward off evil.

And get this, Basil was also once believed to identify chastity. If the herb withered in the hands of a woman, she was considered to be impure.

Health Benefits

Homegrown, organic basil is good for you!

Basil is an excellent source of vitamins (A and C) and minerals (potassium and magnesium). Eating basil can help support healthy vision, immune health and organ function.

Basil contains a number of antioxidants which can help protect the body against chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Basil is also rich in plant compounds that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties!

Growing Tips and Tricks

Location: Basil likes to grow in full sun, so chose a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. The soil should be rich in organic matter and freely draining.

Watering: Basil needs to be watered regularly, but be careful not to overwater. The soil should be moist, but not soggy.

Problems:

Pests: Look out for caterpillars eating your basil! Keep the plants healthy to avoud pest attack or use organic pest control if necessary.

Wilted and discoloured leaves: Often a sign of root rot. Make sure you growing your basil in well drained soil

Wilted or yellow leaves: Usually a sign of heat stress. Make sure your basil has enough water!

Harvest: Basil is ready to harvest in around 60 days. The leaves will be full and the plant around 30cm tall. You can take the whole plant at once or you can simply snip off the leaves as needed.

Patch to plate

Basil is a killer herb in the kitchen. It’s a staple in Italian cuisine and pairs perfectly with juicy ripe tomatoes! Here’s a couple of dishes you can use your basil in for a bit of culinary inspo!

• Pesto: An oldy but a goody. Put it on toast, with fresh tomatoes, put it on a pizza or stir it through some pasta. A big tub of homemade pesto in the fridge can add punch to stacks of meals
• Caprese salad: A summer classic, tomatoes, basil and mozzarella, what else do you need!
• Salsa Verde – Basil and a few other herbs, garlic, olive oil. Forget the “dead horse” at your BBQ and spoon some homemade salsa verde over your grilled meat instead!