Do You Have Your Basil Seeds?

Last year, I posted a blog on growing basil around your house.  In flower beds, in pots, anywhere works!  It is beautiful and there are so many wonderful varieties, each one having a different but wonderful taste.  Each variety has a distinctive look, many of which are beautiful in cut flower arrangements that leave a lovely scent in the air!  I am so passionate about growing basil and that is why I encourage everyone to get their seeds and get ready to pop them in a flower pot as soon as the last danger of frost is behind us.

If you have never grown basil, please do yourself a favor and order a few different varieties of seeds and give it a try.  You will love it this summer!

I order my seeds from Baker Creek Seeds and they have a wonderful variety to choose from. You can click on the link if you want to check them out.  I have no affiliation with them other than I just love their seeds and the variety that they have. That being said, there are many places that carry basil seeds.  In order to get some of the more gourmet varieties, you will most likely need to order from a seed seller such as Baker Creek.  I am not gonna lie to ya!  I grow about 10 different varieties every summer and I can't wait to start my seedlings for this Spring.  

A few of my favorites are:

Holy Basil-Is a beautiful plant and can be used to make a wonderful tea.  Holy Basil is known for its medicinal purposes in many countries.  I grew it around my tomatoes last year.

Thai Sweet Basil

Has a wonderful flavor. Is used in a lot of Thai dishes.  Can be dried and saved for winter use as well.  Has beautiful flowery stalks that can be added to cut flowers.

Cardinal Basil

Has a slight licorice taste.  I use it in pastas and I love to pick the heads for bouquets!  It leaves such a sweet fragrance in the house!

Cinnamon Basil

Named for the cinnamon like flavor that it gives off.  I also use this one in pastas and Italian food.  It is a pretty plant and has a limey green color and is easy to grow!

Genovese Sweet Basil

This is the most common sweet basil that most people think about when they think about basil.  It is truly sweet and has large green leaves and has the Italian flavor that everyone loves!

Dark Opal Basil

This is probably my favorite!  I grow it for use in cooking, but it is so very beautiful that every year, I just fill a large pot with it on my patio.  Please give this one a try!

Inspiring the Well-Lived Home in a culinary way,

Julie Atkins