As a person who doesn't remember a time that I didn't garden in some form or other, I have finally realized what I most enjoy in my garden. Since becoming an avid herb gardener four or five years ago, I have tried an assortment of herbs in my landscape all the way from Angelica to Yarrow, with Basil coming out on top as one of my favorites. Basil is an easy annual herb to grow. Seeds can be started indoors in late spring and set outdoors after all danger of frost is past, or planted directly into the ground when the garden soil is warm.
Basil prefers well-drained, rich soil with full sun, and protected from cold winds.
Over-fertilization should be avoided to protect basil's flavor. Pinch the terminal buds after planting to encourage branching. There are more than 35 species of annual and perennial basils in varying colors, flavors, and leaf sizes. Basil grows to a height of 1-3 feet. Many gardeners plant basil near tomatoes and peppers to enhance their growth.