Archives: Garden Tips

If you jumped the gun and planted your basil too early in the season, it may have been stunted by cold evening temperatures. Don’t despair, you can still have enough basil to make all the pesto you want by buying and planting 4 inch sized starts in late June or July. Basil wants more water than drought loving Mediterranean herbs, so plant it with your vegetables or annuals instead. Read more about Herb of the Year for 2003.

By July it’s basil season again. If basil transplants are sulking it could be because they were planted too early in the season. This annual herb resents chilly night temperatures. If they don’t perk up with warm sunny weather just try again with new transplants. Plant basil in full sun in fertile, well drained soil. Pinch out the growing tips to encourage branching.