Basil has to be one of my favourite herbs to grow- beautiful fragrant leaves that just multiply when you pick them. Easy to grow from seed, they love a sunny position in the garden. Basil can be grown in pots, but to get the full impact of the plant in-ground planting is best. Continuous picking throughout the growing season encourages branching and leaf development, resulting in bushier, more productive plants. The leaves can be used fresh in salads, finger foods or pesto. Leaves can be cooked to flavour savoury dishes, and the excess can be dried to use during the winter months. Towards the end of the growing season, allow some of the growth tips to develop into the bee-magnet flowers. These fragrant green stems hold hundreds of tiny white flowers that can last into Autumn. AS the flowers start to turn brown, cut off the stems to save the seeds for next year’s crop.

Although basil is a worthwhile crop to grow on its own merits, it also has the bonus of being a perfect companion plant- while the flowers attract bees that pollinate your other crops, the fragrant leaves can repel pests. Planting with tomatoes, capsicum and eggplant is especially beneficial as the share similar water and sunshine requirements.

Saving Basil Seeds

Once the flowers have begun to brown, cut off the stems. Group flower heads into small bunches, but do not crowd too closely as you want to preserve air flow. Tie with string and hang upside-down in a warm, dry, dark place. Cover heads with a paper bag to collect the dried seeds. Again, try to avoid touching the stems so that the air can circulate. In about 2 weeks the flower heads should be dry enough to shake freed the remaining seeds into the paper bag. Collect and store in seed bags or an air tight jar.