About Basil
There’s something incredibly satisfying about plucking fresh basil leaves from your own little herb garden and tossing them into a dish. It’s like adding a pinch of magic to your meals! Growing herbs at home is one of the easiest (and most rewarding) ways to connect with your food, whether you live in a spacious villa or a cozy apartment. Plus, there’s nothing quite like the fresh, vibrant aroma of basil filling your kitchen!.
Why is basil the best starter herb?
IF YOU’RE NEW TO GROWING HERBS, BASIL IS A PERFECT PLACE TO START. IT’S HARDY, IT GROWS QUICKLY, AND IT’S VERSATILE ENOUGH TO ELEVATE JUST ABOUT ANY DISH. FROM FRESH SALADS TO HOMEMADE PESTO, BASIL IS THE SECRET INGREDIENT THAT MAKES EVERYTHING TASTE *FANCIER*. PLUS, IT ONLY TAKES A FEW WEEKS TO START REAPING THE BENEFITS OF YOUR OWN MINI HARVEST.
HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS.
YOU DON’T NEED A GREEN THUMB TO GROW BASIL. ALL YOU NEED IS A POT, SOME SOIL, AND A SUNNY SPOT.
BASIL LOVES SUNLIGHT. ABOUT 6-8 HOURS OF IT A DAY, SO PLACE YOUR POT ON A WINDOWSILL OR BALCONY WHERE IT CAN SOAK UP ALL THAT VITAMIN D.
1. GET THE RIGHT POT
Make sure your pot has drainage holes.
Basil does not like soggy roots.
2. START WITH SEEDS OR SEEDLINGS
Seeds are fun to watch grow, but if your impatient, grab a seedling from your local garden store and get a head start
3. WATER, BUT DON’T OVER-DO IT
Basil likes moist soil, bit not too wet. Water it when the top inch of the soil feels dry.
4. HARVEST REGULARLY
Don’t wait too long to start harvesting. Picking leaves often encourages the plant to grow more, so you’ll have a steady supply of fresh basil.
Once your basil starts flourishing, you’ll notice it’s not just about having fresh herbs on hand. There’s a joy in nurturing something from seed to plate. You’ll begin to appreciate the little things, like the smell of basil on your fingers after picking it, or how much brighter a simple pasta dish can taste with a handful of fresh leaves.
Once you’ve got more basil than you know what to do with, try these simple ideas
Make Pesto: Blend fresh basil with garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon for the best homemade pesto.
Infuse Your Water: Add a few basil leaves to your water for a refreshing twist.
Spruce Up Salads: Toss fresh basil into any salad to instantly elevate the flavour.