More Fabulous Followers! Pesto Recipes and Basil Growing Tips

Great response to the Pesto post. Thanks everyone for your lovely comments. I love visiting you all and reading so many great stories.



If you are interested in making your own pesto (which I do recommend) why not pop over to Busy Working Mama. She's got three great recipes to get you started. I am definitely going to try her walnut pesto recipe.



In response to Infarrantly Creative's question about growing basil in a pot:



Why yes you can grow it in a pot. Or a recycled coffee can. Or an old boot. Basil is very easy to start from seed and you can sow indoors as early as March and be picking your first leaves around mid May or even earlier depending on your climate.



It is a tender herbaceaous plant and not frost hardy. If you are growing out doors don't start it or put it outside until all danger of frost is past.



Like most herbs basil doesn't mind poor soil but needs to be well drained. If you are growing it in a pot make sure you put in drainage holes. Basil LOVES the sun but is not particularly drought tolerant. Make sure you place it where it will be in full sun and keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't get too dry.



To keep your basil from getting too leggy and to encourage it to be be bushy pinch off the small centre leaf shoots as it grows.



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I grow my basil in a pot on the patio and it is very happy. Unfortunately I don't have a patio big enough to grow enough basil to make pesto but fresh basil is a handy tasty kitchen herb to have. You just can't beat fresh! Every year I get myself one of those live basils they sell in the grocery store produce section. You know like instead of buying it cut. Costs £1 (about $1.50) and lasts all spring and summer.



I have not found that it does very well as an indoor plant. At least not here in the UK. I have tried to grow it over the winter on the kitchen window sill but it just doesn't get enough light. But if you live in a warmer climate you could cultivate it year round.



Basil will flower if you leave to go to seed. And conveniently seed itself for next year! But you don't want this to happen until late in the season as the plant will stop growing after it has seeded.You can prevent this by pinching off the buds as they come. Be aware though that if you do let it flower BEES seem to love basil flowers. Just sayin' in case it is going to be any where near anyone with a bee allergy.



Good luck!