General: Which Basils do you grow and how and why?

Discussion in 'Herbs for the Kitchen' started by bob 2, Aug 20, 2009.

  1. bob 2

    bob 2 Active Member

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    Ranin, I'll have to try some with fish. I admit I have not thought of basil in that fare.
    I will use dill or on occasion French tarragon on salmon.
    Thanks to the tip.

    Bob
     
  2. rainin

    rainin Active Member

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    You're welcome. I love to cook and have just gotten into using fresh herbs in the last couple of years. The difference between fresh and dried is amazing. I use fresh oregano in my fried zucchini recipe and would never go back to the dried herb.
     
  3. bob 2

    bob 2 Active Member

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    I have used the fresh stuff ever since I built my greenhouse.
    I am able to bring my plants in for the winter and that shortens the "season" considerably.
    I love the flavours you can produce with so little effort.
    Fresh herbs are what separates cooking from COOKING! <g>

    Bob
     
  4. rainin

    rainin Active Member

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    You said it Bob! There is no comparison to fresh herbs. My son is going to build me a green house by next winter. It will be unheated at first so I will be doing mainly seed starting in spring and winter gardening. I have a lot to learn about green house growing but I am more than ready to learn. It has been a life long dream of mine to have one. Even a little one. The growing season here is not long enough for me. I feel like I am wasting away if I cant be planting seeds and starts.
     
  5. bob 2

    bob 2 Active Member

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    Great news! I wish you great success with your new greenhouse.
    You will never regret having it. Mine is about 25 years old and I have had nothing but great success with it.
    With insulated glass they are very reasonable to heat as well.

    Regards

    Bob
     
  6. rainin

    rainin Active Member

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    What are some of the most important things I should know about green house growing? I imagine I will learn a lot just by doing.
     
  7. bob 2

    bob 2 Active Member

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    Cleanliness and low temperatures (60-65° F at night)
    If you are going to bring in plants from other areas , you should quaranteen them to check for parasites.
    Plants need 1- 12 hours of bright light each day.
    Check out LED grown lights as they are cool and efficient but a bit more expensive at the out set.
    Water to soak, you would be surprised how difficult it is to get water into the crowns of your plants.
    Use only soiless product like Sunshine mix or equal to keep parasites out of the space.


    There are other opinions and I am sure they will add to this info.
    Good luck.

    Bob
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2009
  8. rainin

    rainin Active Member

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    Thanks so much for the information. It gives me a place to start my research. I can't wait until I finally have it built.
     
  9. rainin

    rainin Active Member

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    I found another basil to try. Its lime basil and according to the package is great in deserts. Any one else grow this and if so, how do you use this one?
     
  10. bob 2

    bob 2 Active Member

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    Oddly I just ordered a variety pack of basils from Vesseys that will have lime basil seeds with it.
    I'm looking forward to another basil flavour as well.
     
  11. rainin

    rainin Active Member

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    I am anxious to try this new one in a fresh tequila/lime salsa!!!
     
  12. bob 2

    bob 2 Active Member

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    I want to make some recipes that feature this basil .
    Any ideas?
    I think it should be along the lines of a complimentary fragrance or esscence to let the basil dominate the dish?
    Right now I'm thinking something with Feta.

    Bob
     
  13. rainin

    rainin Active Member

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    Maybe a simple pasta with olive oil and lime basil just for a test for taste would be a good place to start. I think that is what I will start with just to get my bearings and new ideas started.
     
  14. 2annbrow

    2annbrow Active Member

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    Try the lime basil in fruit cup?
     
  15. rainin

    rainin Active Member

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    That sounds really good. I am going to have to try that one. I am also thinking lemon basil and lime basil with rice. I am going to have to go fishing as soon as my herbs are big enough to use. The package my seeds came in said it works well in deserts so I will be hunting down some recipes in that area.
     
  16. rainin

    rainin Active Member

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    I googled some recipes and found the fruit salad you mentioned. Make a simple syrup with the lime basil and toss with your favorite fruits. Sounds simple and delicious. Everything I have read so far says it has a true lime flavor.
     
  17. bob 2

    bob 2 Active Member

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    Now you have me getting exited about using this marvelous herb in all sorts of situations.
    That fruit cocktail thingie is right up my alley.

    I use rosemary often for fish and it's does it for me.
    Maybe I should try the basils too.

    Bob
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2009
  18. rainin

    rainin Active Member

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    The first time I grilled fish with lemon basil there was not a piece left on the platter. I grow herbs as much for the smell as the taste. I love to walk through my garden and pinch off pieces here and there just for the aroma. I don't know if there is any scientific basis for this but my chocolate mint improves my mood when I smell it. The lemon basil scent is almost like an energy boost. I find the anise hyssop to have a calming effect.
     
  19. 2annbrow

    2annbrow Active Member

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    North Bend OR US;Oregon coast, just N of Coos Bay
    Best cod recipe I've ever tried, and we're big cod fans, is also the simplest! Called "cod Boulangere" in The Joy of Cooking, I use thawed cod, chunked red potatoes and chunked onions (slightly precooked in microwave) margarine and a hanful of my fresh thyme, leaves pulled off the stems. Baked in a 350F oven, it never has leftovers - we eat the whole pound of cod, and then sit around groaning - but it's so good!
     
  20. rainin

    rainin Active Member

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    I am going to have to try that recipe soon. It is always the simplest recipes that taste the best. I am going to spend the winter months getting lots of herb and garden seeds purchased and then when spring finally gets here I will be ready to start my container herb garden. I have never gardened with containers before and I thought that herbs would be the best place to start. Due to back problems I am having to change my approach to gardening. I want to get some raised beds built but that may have to wait a couple more years. I wish the winters here were a little shorter.
     
  21. bob 2

    bob 2 Active Member

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  22. 2annbrow

    2annbrow Active Member

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    Basil is a wonderful herb, so many flavors, colors & forms, but I find it quite challenging to grow here. And everything eats it! Had a really great crop once, a whole row of the big-leaved sweet, and I went out to cut it early one summer morning, visions of pesto dancing in my head. And there, to my horror, was a fine big row of - green stems! Apparently there was a hatch of baby grasshoppers, and they got off to a fine start on my cherished basil. Aaarrrgh!
     
  23. bob 2

    bob 2 Active Member

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    You may want to try some garden cloth over your crops.
    The brand I use is called Reemay or similar.
    Lets light and water in and "helps" keep bugs out.
     
  24. 2annbrow

    2annbrow Active Member

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    Oh, but I had a floating row cover! I think they hatched inside it!
     
  25. bob 2

    bob 2 Active Member

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    Now,that's what I would call bad luck! ;-)

    Hoppers are a tough call without some chemical offence.

    Bob
     

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