• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Walking On Sunshine Recipes

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • SHOP
  • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Home and Garden » Gardening

    Tips for Growing Basil in your Garden

    Published: May 17, 2019 · Modified: Jul 25, 2022 by Lois · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Sharing is caring!

    234 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Tips on growing basil in your garden with a few delicious recipes that will show you why basil is a culinary superstar that deserves a spot in every kitchen garden. 

    Farmer holding basil plant in hands.

    Did you know that there are over 60 different types of basil that we can plant in our kitchen gardens...all of which differ in taste?

    Growing Basil in your Garden

    This favorite herb is available in dozens of varieties, each with its own distinctive traits and flavor characteristics. Popular examples include Genovese, lemon, lime, purple, and Thai. Genovese is the most popular basil variety used in Italian dishes, while Thai basil is more common in Asian-influenced recipes.

    Therefore, if space allows, you should try to grow and experiment with several varieties each season! 

    Basket of basil leaves and grape tomatoes

    How to Plant Fresh Basil

    • This tender annual is very easy to grow from seed and will benefit from frequent harvesting.
    • Once plants reach 10-12” tall, pinch leaves from the top down to just above the second set of leaves. This encourages the plant to grow into a nice bush form, rather than becoming tall and leggy.
    • Plant basil in full sun.
    • Basil plants love at least 6-8 hours of sunlight. 
    • Provide afternoon shade in warmer regions.
    • Basil prefers rich, well-drained, soil.
    • Water frequently, but don’t allow their feet to stay too wet.
    Basil plant in pot on shelf.

    How to Store Fresh Basil

    • Don’t store cut basil leaves in the refrigerator because they will turn brown.
    • For larger harvests, trim the ends of basil stems and place in a glass of water like fresh flowers. Then, place in direct sunlight.
    • To enjoy basil all winter long, turn basil leaves into pesto by combining with olive oil, toasted pine nuts, garlic cloves and Parmesan cheese in a food processor.
    • Add to ice cube trays and top with a little extra olive oil. Freeze and use 1-2 cubes to add extra flavor to soups, stews and slow cooker meals.
    • You can read more about how I like to store extra summer basil in a post I did a few years ago on Freezing Basil Cubes. 
    Washing Fresh Basil

    Tips for Using Fresh Basil

    • Basil is at its best fresh from the garden. Just pinch off a few leaves and you’re ready to go.
    • It is delicious with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella or tossed in with other salad greens.
    • Add fresh basil to your cooked dishes when you are almost finished because cooking will diminish its wonderful flavor and vibrant color.
    • Try my Lemon Basil Mocktail recipe.

    Recipes that use Fresh Basil

    Basil is an excellent source of Vitamin K, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. It's also a good source of calcium, iron, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids. Here are a few recipes that work great with using fresh basil.

    How to Make the Best Basil Pesto Sauce

    One of the more popular ways to use fresh basil is in pestro sauce.

    Hasselback Chicken Stuffed with Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil

    Stuffed chicken with fresh basil leaves not only tastes amazing, but makes a great presentation!

    Tuscan Roma Pizza

    Pizza made on the grill perfect for summer and using fresh basil from the garden.

    Lemon Basil Mint Spritzer with Fresh Ginger

    Enjoy a glass of this spritzer on a hot summer day with basil fresh from the garden.

    Peach & Basil Flatbread

    Photo Credit: mylifecookbook.com

    This easy peach & basil flatbread is perfect for those ripe peaches in season as well as herbs from the garden. A quick and tasty summer meal.

    Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce with Meatballs

    Fresh basil is the star of this family favorite recipe that I've been making for years!

    The BEST Bruschetta Recipe

    Photo Credit: fantabulosity.com

    Whether you’re serving this on a slice of bread, or on top of chicken, you’ll find this one of the best bruschetta recipes there is!

    Peach Basil Salad Recipe

    Photo Credit: www.5minutesformom.com

    This Peach Basil Salad recipe is so refreshing and easy to make.


    Recipes you can make using fresh basil from the garden.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lauren | Mom Home Guide says

      May 25, 2019 at 2:21 pm

      Great tips!! Pinning!

      Reply
      • Lois says

        May 25, 2019 at 2:22 pm

        Thank you for visiting and pinning!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Recipes

    • Meal Plans
    • Thanksgiving Recipes
    • Reindeer Desserts
    • Christmas Cookies
    • Cinnamon Rolls

    Connect

    • Facebook
    • Amazon
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer and Disclosure
    • Contact
    • E-Cookbooks
    • Printables, Planners, Gift Tags
    • Amazon Store

    Walking on Sunshine Creative Services, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

    Copyright © 2022 Walking On Sunshine Recipes