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.