Herb Week: Basil

If Rosemary is Queen, then Basil is King of Herbs!

Roasted tomatoes with basil & mozzerella

Basil is the hallmark of summer in the South, begging to be plucked and tucked into a sandwich or blended with olive oil for a creamy pesto. Easy to grow and just as easy to root, Basil serves floral & culinary duties.








Placing long stems of Basil into floral arrangements one curious of the delightfully sweet aroma. Basil has many culinary powers, too. Pick fresh leaves/stems early in the morning or late evening for peak essential oil & flavor.

Fresh Basil on sandwiches & pasta, combined with heirloom tomatoes and fresh mozzarella---divine! You must try making your own pesto this year--read Pesto Presto! for a good starter recipe...


Plant your Basil soon & enjoy the King of Herbs all summer!
see you
ML

Last Frost Date

If you are planning on starting seeds indoors for outdoor planting later, you
need to know the "last frost date" for you area. Plant Maps is a good resource for
those dates and for other helpful info based on your zip code.

Augusta's last frost date range is March 21st to March 31st.

So, if you are planting
basil indoors, for example,I would get started around Valentine's Day, February 14th!

Blessings from the Garden.
ML

PESTO, presto!

EASY recipe used for Herbs:Floral & Culinary

demonstration Saturday...

Many variations, but this was simple!

Use pesto to mix with pasta, instead of mayo

on sandwiches, "sauce" for chicken....

2 Tablespoons coarse chopped walnuts or pine nuts

(may lightly toast pine nuts, but not necessary!)

3 garlic cloves, peeled

3 Tablespoons EVOO

4 Cups Basil leaves

1/2 Cup grated fresh Parmesean

1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste

Need a food processor, or I used an Oster hand blender. Drop pine/walnuts and garlic into

processor container, let her rip, add olive oil, basil, cheese and salt...Process until very finely minced. Refrigerate and be creative!

Blessings from the Garden

ML

PS...I'd love to hear your take on PESTO!