Guest guest Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 That is cool to know. I'd have never guessed it would of done that. Thanks for sharing. I have a huge pot of it on the patio. I love it too. Judy - TendrMoon Friday, August 25, 2006 2:39 PM Basil Just passing along something I never knew....I'm a true basil junkie and this year I just never got around to planting any. A co-worker brought me a huge bunch (without roots) and told me the best way to keep it fresh is to keep it in water on my kitchen counter changing the water daily. Well, lo and behold, not only did it stay fresh, but it grew roots! Just planted it in a pot yesterday and put it outside. It's doing very well. I plan on keeping it out until threat of frost and then, hopefully, nurturing it in a sunny window. Have rooted house plant cuttings over the years, but basil? Whoda thunk? TM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 Here's what I did with all my basil: http://www.zenpawn.com/vegblog/2006/08/23/basil-bounty I've not been very successful growing/keeping basil in little pots on my window-sill. I guess also I'm not sure how much, how often, and from where to take it so the plant doesn't die. Any hints? Thanks, -Erin www.zenpawn.com/vegblog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2007 Report Share Posted July 11, 2007 I add fresh basil to my regular salad, it is also very good with tomatoes, so a tomato salad with fresh works great. If you are making a tomato sauce you can put the leaves in whole and let it infuse into the sauce or you can chop it up and add it to the sauce. I few weeks ago I made up a stir fry type of dish using potatoes, onions, garlic, fresh basil, peppers, and maybe some broccoli. Gayle ************************************** Get a sneak peak of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2007 Report Share Posted July 11, 2007 I appreciate all the information on the different varieties of basil. Next fall I plan to plant a Square Foot Garden and it's good to have this sort of info. In the meantime, what is a good way to use basil that _doesn't_ include tons of oil? I'm getting lots of it from my CSA box and I can't keep up. Pesto is out for me at the moment as I'm trying to lose another 30 pounds (I've been stuck at this weight forever, it seems) so I'm not adding oil to my foods. I've added leaves here and there, but I'd love a solution that would use a larger quantity. Thanks, Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2007 Report Share Posted July 11, 2007 If you have more fresh basil than you can use, dry it and keep it for the winter. Basil dries nicely in a warmed over if you don't have a dehydrator. Katie Sharon Zakhour <sharon.zakhour wrote: I appreciate all the information on the different varieties of basil. Next fall I plan to plant a Square Foot Garden and it's good to have this sort of info. In the meantime, what is a good way to use basil that _doesn't_ include tons of oil? I'm getting lots of it from my CSA box and I can't keep up. Pesto is out for me at the moment as I'm trying to lose another 30 pounds (I've been stuck at this weight forever, it seems) so I'm not adding oil to my foods. I've added leaves here and there, but I'd love a solution that would use a larger quantity. Thanks, Sharon Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2007 Report Share Posted July 11, 2007 I like to mince it up fine and stir into some plain (soy, for me) yogurt for a dip or sauce. Combine with other herbs, garlic, and chives for variety. Actually, I more often make hot sauce with it than the above. So, if you too like the heat, check out: http://www.zenpawn.com/vegblog/2006/07/13/basilzebub/ -Erin http://www.zenpawn.com/vegblog , Sharon Zakhour <sharon.zakhour wrote: > > I appreciate all the information on the different varieties of basil. > Next fall I plan to plant a Square Foot Garden and it's good to have > this sort of info. > > In the meantime, what is a good way to use basil that _doesn't_ include > tons of oil? I'm getting lots of it from my CSA box and I can't keep > up. Pesto is out for me at the moment as I'm trying to lose another 30 > pounds (I've been stuck at this weight forever, it seems) so I'm not > adding oil to my foods. > > I've added leaves here and there, but I'd love a solution that would use > a larger quantity. > > Thanks, > > Sharon > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2007 Report Share Posted July 12, 2007 If you have more fresh basil than you can use, dry it and keep it for the winter. Basil dries nicely in a warmed over if you don't have a dehydrator. Katie --------- Dried basil doesn't really taste much like basil because the volatile oils, with much if not most of the flavor, have evaporated. (Dried basil in the grocery spice section tastes pretty much like sawdust.)Much better is to chop it and freeze it with water in ice cube trays or chop it and bottle it with olive oil in the refrigerator. Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 Has anyone ever tried wintering basil over indoors? My daughter got lucky and managed to keep hers over the winter...put it out in the spring. I tried, but I can't do it at home (too many curious cats who love to knock things off my sunny window sills) and my office window has a northern exposure and it was just too cold and there wasn't enough light. This year, since it roots so easily from just cuttings, I'm going to try keeping it indoors in water for as long as I can. I purchased some basil in the grocery store in June that was grown hydroponically. I planted it outdoors and it did really well...drooped for a few days and then took off....a big, beautiful plant now. TM ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 TendrMoon wrote: > Has anyone ever tried wintering basil over indoors? > Anything I keep indoors over the winter I use a grow light with. I also grow wheat (food grade, organic seed) for my indoor cats. Neysa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 I have tried, but it got leggy and quit producing leaves. Judy TendrMoon wrote: > Has anyone ever tried wintering basil over indoors? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 The more you trim it back the more leaves you will get. We have plants that produced leaves for our kitchen for over a year. Cut it back very short and you will be suprised how long the plants will survive and produce. JJ Santol, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines. wwjd <jtwigg wrote: I have tried, but it got leggy and quit producing leaves. Judy TendrMoon wrote: > Has anyone ever tried wintering basil over indoors? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2007 Report Share Posted October 5, 2007 Something I didn't know about basil, is that it is darn nutritious. It could be considered as a green (food) all by itself like spinach or kale, rather than only a spice. I hadn't grown any before, but two plants grew up from some old seeds I'd had to be bushes a couple feet tall and wide over the summer in my garden. Some leafy tops, an ounce or two snipped up with scissors, stems and all, into a pot of rice and lentils do great things in adding some vitamins A and C, calcium and iron into the mix. I don't like the taste of the raw leaf but cooked it changes & makes the rice ambrosial. If my bushes can't tough out my (mild) winter, it's good to know I can start some clippings inside. for basil nutrition, http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-C00001-01c203R.html , TendrMoon wrote: > ..... Well, lo and behold, > not only did it stay fresh, but it grew roots! Just planted it in a pot > yesterday and put it outside. It's doing very well. I plan on keeping it out > until threat of frost and then, hopefully, nurturing it in a sunny window. Have > rooted house plant cuttings over the years, but basil? Whoda thunk? > > TM > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2007 Report Share Posted October 5, 2007 > not only did it stay fresh, but it grew roots! Isnt this fantastic?! I did the same thing with some rosemary I bought this summer. Its still going strong on the windowsill. Lemon grass will also root in water...I never planted it in soil to see what would happen. I have some sitting in water as we speak. If the roots form, I will pot it and see what happens. Roxy, Philly PA ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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