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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