Container Garden 411

Herbs can benefit life in many ways. Growing basil, Ocimum basilicum, is an easy way to spice up the garden and your favorite recipes. I am pleased to introduce, Basil, a sweet herb, member of the Mint Family. Although there is a few different varieties of basil, sweet basil is the most popular and well known. When it comes to old age medical remedies, and flavoring meals, basil is the best.

Folklore-

Throughout history, growing basil has held significance to cultures all over the world. The people of India swore their oaths in court on basil leaves. Italian lovers would wear a piece of basil in their hair when courting ladies. The Mexicans believed it would bring back a cheating lover if you walked around carrying basil.

Medical uses-

Growing basil can provide major health benefits. The herb is a natural source of beta-carotene, which is packed with Vitamin A. Basil, is a cure-all herb that can treat many disorders and ailments from headaches to indigestion. There are so many benefits derived from basil, that it is known as the ‘King of Herbs’.

Growing Basil-

Growing basil can be childs-play. You can grow basil plants started from seed inside the house before transplanting into the garden. If you lack the space for growing basil outdoors, it can be grown inside. If you decide to do this, remember the plant needs sunlight, so a man-made alternative should be used, like fluorescent growing lighting.

The seeds should be sown about 1” from each other, in a warm time of year. After a few leaves have grown, the basil can then be re-planted. Make certain you wait until a late frost is no longer a threat.

Organic mulch should be added to the surface about 3” deep. Water about once a week, preferably in the morning. Do not over fertilize because this action diminishes the unique fragrance of the plant.

When re-planting, dig the herbs in at least 1 – 1 feet apart from each other, to ensure appropriate growing space. For growing basil, it has essentially two requirements, well-drained soil, and a sunny, moist area.

Prune at least every 2 weeks to increase the health of the plant. Clip leaves back to about a quarter inch above a node and leave enough foliage for continued growth. Remove dead heads from flower stems for it to continue in good health.

It is a good idea when growing basil, to plant it near your tomato vines. These plants equally need sunlight and above average watering, so having them close together will be more convenient for the time-pressed gardener. Basil next to tomato – like bolognese sauce! Basil also acts as a natural insect repellent, either in the home kitchen, or to keep pests away from other plants.

After 6” of growth, the top leaves are ready to be clipped. Basil plants can grow to approximately two feet tall. Growing basil not only adds to your culinary delights, but it is delightful addition in the garden.

Knowing how to care for your flower garden can make a big difference in the look and over-all health of your plants.  Remember the song by Tina Turner, “What’s Love Got To Do With It?”. Well your plants need a little bit of love to. Here are some simple hints to make your garden bloom with health

1. The essentials must always be given major consideration.

Your flower garden must have an adequate supply of water, sunlight, and fertile soil. Any lack of these basic necessities will greatly affect the health of plants. Water the flower garden more frequently during dry spells.

When planting bulbs, make sure they go at the correct depth. When planting out shrubs and perennials, make sure that you don’t heap soil or mulch up around the stem. If you do, water will drain off instead of sinking in, and the stem could develop rot through overheating.

2. Mix and match perennials with annuals.

Perennial flower bulbs need not to be replanted since they grow and bloom for several years while annuals grow and bloom for only one season. Mixing a few perennials with annuals ensures that you will always have blooms coming on.

3. Deadhead to encourage more blossoms.

Deadheading is simply snipping off the flower head after it wilts. This will make the plant produce more flowers. Just make sure that you don’t discard the deadhead on the garden or mildew and other plant disease will attack your plants.

4. Know the good from the bad bugs.

Most garden insects do more good than harm. Butterflies, beetles and bees are known pollinators. They fertilize plants through unintentional transfer of pollen from one plant to another. 80% of flowering plants rely on insects for survival.

Sowbugs and dung beetles together with fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms are necessary to help in the decomposition of dead plant material, thus enriching the soil and making more nutrients available to growing plants.

Other insects like lacewings and dragonflies are natural predators of those insects that do the real damage, like aphis.

An occasional application of liquid fertilizer when plants are flowering will keep them blooming for longer.

Always prune any dead or damaged branches. Fuchsias are particularly prone to snapping when you brush against them. The broken branch can be potted up to give you a new plant, so it won’t be wasted.