Growing Lemon Basil

There are several flavors of growing lemon basil herbs besides the type you normally associate with pesto.

Cinnamon basil has the scent of teaberry gum, for those old enough to remember it, and frequently, its an herb used to flavor the true Tex-Mex chili.

Lemon basil is a wonderful addition to seafood dishes, used to make lemony facials and also makes Thai food perfect. If you love pork chops with a lemon flavor, you�ll find this herb enhances the lemon and takes the greasy taste away. Basil is a relatively easy plant to grow and this variety is no different from the traditional basil.

When and How to Plant Lemon Basil

You might find that many of the local markets sell plants already started. If you only want one plant, these are ideal. If you want several, or if you have friends that also want to grow lemon basil, share a packet of the seeds. You wonot be able to use the plants leaves as quickly, but it�s a lot more inexpensive.

Basil likes warm weather, so wait until the chance of frost is past. Of course, if you are growing only one plant, choose a pot and begin it as soon as possible. You can bring the pot inside when bad weather threatens. Start your plant from seed in a pot indoors until it sprouts and then harden it off to the outside if weather permits.

Soil and Fertilizer for Growing Lemon Basil

Lemon Basil loves a rich soil thats loamy and well drained. Add manure to the soil or compost and work it in before you plant the seed or seedling. Potting soil can be used if you grow lemon basil in pots. Fertilize it with an all purpose vegetable fertilizer. You will need to sidedress the plant with fertilizer once it reaches harvest stage. Use organic fertilizer or a liquid nitrogen source.

Watering

You need to know that when growing lemon basil its needs a regular amount of water. Normally the best is 1 � inches each week to grow most vigorously. The soil should be well drained. An irrigation drip system works well for lemon basil and prevents leaf wilting that slows the plant�s growth.

Pests and Diseases and What You Can Do

The good news spreads about herbs. Most of the fragrant herbs have few pests. Diseases are also infrequent. Make sure you rotate the crop regularly. The lemon basil is an excellent companion plant to plants such as tomatoes. They help keep pests away.

Harvesting, Drying and Preserving

Once your plant has six to eight leaves, harvest the leaves. You do this by using a scissors or knife to remove the top leaves from the plant and leave only two to four at the bottom. You need to be vigilant about removing the tops of the plants, if you donot they flower. Flowering reduces the flavor of the lemon basil.

Once you pick the lemon basil leaves, Hang the stems in bunches of two or three and allow them to dry. This should take about a week or two. You can also put the basil in vinegar for a delightful vinegar for salads. Donot freeze basil since it spoils the flavor and makes it mushy.

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