Store Basil For Later Use

Dry some of basil’s bountiful summer harvest to use in winter sauces and dressings. I dry a lot of basil every year and add it to whatever gets cooked up in the crock pot during the cold months.

Another simple way to store your fresh basil is to put one cup of basil leaves and one and a half cups of olive oil in the blender and blend it until you have a nice paste. Freeze this paste in small containers and cook with it throughout the rest of the year.

More Uses For Basil

Basil is antibacterial and antiviral, making it an effective remedy for the common cold and flu. If you are prone to bronchitis or chest colds, dry some of your basil, store it in a jar and make a basil tea a couple times a week as a preventive remedy.

Basil warms the body, clears out the bugs and sharpens the mind. In the middle of winter when you are feeling cold, dark, damp and depressed, break out your stash of dried basil or frozen pesto and let it infuse your day with a little warmth and summer sunshine.

A cup of basil tea works wonders for almost any digestive complaint. Basil tea relieves stomach cramps and spasms, nausea, gas and constipation.

GROWING INFORMATION

DAYS TO GERMINATION:5-10 days at 65-70°F (18-21°C).

SOWING:Direct seed (recommended): Plant seeds 1/4" deep, 2-3 seeds per inch, in rows 18" apart. Firm the soil over the seeds. Thinning is not necessary, but a final spacing of 4-8" apart produces healthy, full plants.Note:Holy Basil requires some light for germination, so sow more shallowly than other basils.

Transplant: Sow indoors 6 weeks prior to setting out. Plant 1/4" deep and keep at 70°F (21°C) for best germination. Transplant to the field when seedlings have 3-4 sets of leaves, spacing at 4-8" apart in rows 18" apart.

LIGHT PREFERENCE:Sun.

SOIL REQUIREMENTS:Moderately rich, moist soil. Basil is not drought tolerant and can be damaged by heat stress. Regular moisture throughout the growing season helps to ensure a good crop. 

PLANT HEIGHT:Varies. See the product description for exact heights.

PLANT SPACING:4-8".

HARDINESS ZONES:Annual.

HARVEST:Begin light harvesting after plants have become established. It is best done in the early morning when the temperature is cooler and the leaves are less likely to wilt. A full harvest should be completed just before the plants start to flower. Cut the entire plant 4-6" above the ground to promote a second growth. Leaves are easily bruised when picking, so handle carefully. Do not store at a temperature less than 50°F (10°C).