Basil

There are several types of basil. The most common is bush or sweet basil, a compact plant growing to 18 inches or so during the season. Basil is a heat-loving annual herb. If you do any Italian cooking at all, you'll want to include basil in the herb garden

• Keep basil plant in a sunny spot in your garden
• Water regularly, but do not allow the soil to remain flooded. Repot or transplant if the soil is not well-draining.
•  Fertilize 1 to 2 times a month with a liquid plant fertilizer. Any well-balanced fertilizer will do, but avoid those designed to increase blooming.
• Trim often by pinching center leaves. This will not only give you a tasty addition to your recipes, but it will also help your plant to stay productive longer.
• Remove any flower stalks. Once basil starts to bloom it will put all of its energy into flowering instead of growing leaves.
• Water when the soil is dry. Basil, like many herbs, prefers conditions on the dry side.