basil, spicy bush

latin name: ocimum basilicum minimum

zone:  Z10
type: annual
light: full sun
height: 6-8” (15-20 cm)

description:  An attractive form of bush basil.  This basil has softer stems and smaller uniform leaves.  Its flavour is still quite strong and can be used the same way you use regular basil.  Uniform, dome-shaped little bushes.  Perfect for small pots, in mixed containers, or in the front of the garden.

harvest:  Pick leaves throughout the growing season to use fresh or dry.  Cut off flower heads to encourage continued new growth throughout the summer.  Never harvest more than 1/3 of the plant at a time.  Also, the more you harvest, the more your plant will produce.    

culinary notes:  Add fresh torn leaves to salads, and also used to flavour tomato and tomato-based dishes, pasta sauces (notably pesto), vegetables (especially beans, peppers and eggplants), soups and herb oils and vinegars.  The flavour may be ruined if it cooks for too long.  

extra tip:  In our northern climate basil is very sensitive to over watering and colder nights.  It is best potted in pots which can be moved indoors during late spring when the night temperatures are still below 10 degrees Celsius.  Basil can be planted in the gardens once the night temperatures rise above 10 degrees Celsius.