Question: "When is the best time to plant purple
basil? What about soil and location? Every season I try AGAIN to grow
this herb but it just doesn't like what I am doing."
Answer: Basil
is one of those herbs that like the heat and are very tender and
sensitive to frost injury. Purple basils are more susceptible than
other varieties to stresses in the early stages of growth. And, if the
plants get chilled early in the season, they just never seem to grow
well.
Basil's main requirement is a good supply of sunshine.
Although the Purple Ruffles variety tolerates less sun than some of the
other varieties, it still needs at least three to four hours of sun per
day.
All basils need a well-drained, rich soil. Basil doesn't like to dry
out completely, so it's important to water if you don't get regular
rainfall. But remember roots sitting in water can mean certain death to
most plants. So, be sure that your containers have drainage holes.
Watering at mid-day, not in the evening, prevents mildew.
Though
the Purple Ruffles variety has beautiful lavender pink flowers which
are also edible, for maximum flavour you should pinch out any flowers
that appear or the plant produces less leaves and the leaves begin to
taste bitter.
Answer provided by Veronica Sliva, Regional Director, Garden Writers Association.
This column was originally posted on the Foodtv.ca Eating Well site.
Gardening Advice is featured on Style Sheet on Tuesdays.