In the realm of cooking herbs you cannot forget to grow Lemon Basil (Ocimum basilicum). A cousin of Sweet Basil and Purple Basil it is an annual and does need full-sun and rich drained soil. I grow this from seed and I prefer the varieties I can get from Seeds of Change and Shepherd's Garden Seeds. With a compact habit and a smaller leaf size than main basil varieties, lemon basil is a bit more touchy. It will wilt if it gets too dry, so although the size is great in containers, place them in a slightly shaded area so they don't dry out on hot days. Like all basils you need to keep the flowers at bay if you want the most flavorful leaves. And in cooking this herb is a great addition. Not only good in salads and teas, you can use it to replace regular basil in any favorite recipe for an entirely new taste. Imagine a hint of lemon in your pesto. It is also great in a bit of vinegar and oil as a salad dressing with lots of flavor but little extra. A couple of...
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gardeining, herb, lemon, lemon basil
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I enjoy and love lemon herbs. In my research and experimentation I have located about 15 different lemon herb plants that I enjoy growing and using. I thought I would share a few tips and varieties of these favorites with you. The first is Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis) in the mint family it is easy to grow in Zone 5 to 9 requires an average soil and can grow in full sun to partial shade. It is vigorous, can grow from seed and is perfect for areas where other things won't grow. Unlike other mints it will grow more from seed than from root, so cutting the flower heads is important. Its uses are infinite. It is a great tea herb which I use extensively. Its mild lemon flavor shaded with mint is excellent in marinades for chicken and fish. The best flavor is fresh, although it can be dried and frozen. You do lose some flavor in the drying process, so for most people freezing is the best preservation method. Varieties to try are Melissa officinalis 'Aurea' a somewhat shorter species only 12 to 15 inches with golden leaves...
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gardeining, herb, lemon, lemon balm, seeds
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