A MUST FOR EVERYONE! YOU CAN'T MISS OUT ON PLANTING THIS!!!

As an avid herb gardener for several years now, there are plants that are negotiable for my garden and some that are not.  The "never negotiable" plant is my inspiration for this article!  Please understand that to grow this amazing and versatile plant, you don't have to have any gardening experience and you don't even need a conventional garden!  Keep reading!  You will thank me later on this spring!

Basil comes in a vast array of varieties!  Did you know that there is Cinnamon Basil, Cardinal Basil, Thai Basil, Opal Basil, Lemon Basil, Holy Basil (sometimes known as Tulsi)? That is just a small list of all of the kinds and each one has the most distinct flavor.  The most common basil that we all think of is the Italian Basil called Sweet Genovese.

This is the pot of Sweet Genovese that I grew last summer.  I am expanding my horizons when it comes to my basil planting this year and I am here to encourage you to as well.  

Although I have never planted Lemon Basil, I have heard that it is the most delicious of all in pastas and as an addition to your glass of water.  Cinnamon Basil with its distinctive flavor can be used in pastas, salads, jellies, and dried in potpourri.  Holy Basil has many healing properties and makes a delicious tea.

In most growing zones it is now time to grab those seed packets and get those seeds into a pot, herb garden, vegetable garden and my favorite thing, my flower garden.  Cardinal Basil, as shown below, has beautiful flowering heads that are wonderful when added to any bouquet!  

So if you don't plant one thing this spring other than this, do yourself a favor and grab some seeds.  I order most of my seeds from The Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company, however, for the most basic basil seeds, you can even grab a package from the dollar store!  I hope that I will hear back from you and let me know how your basil is growing!  

Alas!  Spring has sprung!  

Until next time, plant on!

Julie Atkins

Milkweed Farms