Royal herb basil or garden bed with charm

Basil is a very useful plant, spice, honey plant and an indispensable ingredient in many cuisines of the world. Fragrant basil is rich in essential oils. In addition to cooking, basil is used in natural herbal home cosmetics. Providing the right conditions for the basil, it will willingly grow in the garden, in the pot on the patio, in the box on the balcony and on the sunny kitchen window.

The scent of this spicy plant combines a whimsical blend of spicy aromas. Depending on the variety, the aromatic bouquet of this plant can be very diverse: it can be pepper, clove-mint, clove and bay leaves, lemon, anise, cinnamon, etc., and when the twigs move, the smell of basil becomes more noticeable.

Basil is a very ancient spicy culture from the caramel family. And fragrant basil, or camphor, or ordinary, is its most common type. With this plant, all dishes become tastier - from salads to pickled cucumbers and zucchini. His name is “basil”, translated from Latin means “a fragrance worthy of kings”. In the East, he is still considered the sacred king of herbs. According to ancient legends, it gives divine protection, energy and strength that protects the living space, cleanses the aura and strengthens the immune system. But, unfortunately, this culture with a burning pungent taste and spicy smell is rather poorly distributed in our gardens.

The birthplace of basil is the tropical regions of South Asia, where it has been cultivated since time immemorial. In ancient Greece, basil was widely known as "okimon" and was used in the treatment of various diseases. It came to Europe in the 12th century as a spicy and medicinal plant. It has been known in Russia since the 17th century.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Is an annual herb. Its root system is branched, fibrous. The roots are thin, they penetrate the soil shallowly, their bulk is located in the arable layer. The stem is tetrahedral, 35–55 cm high. In protected ground it reaches a height of 60 cm or more. The plant is quite bushy - it has up to 12 lateral branches of the first order.

The leaves of this culture are petiolate, ovoid, pointed upward, with a smooth or bubbly surface. Basil varieties are distinguished by the color of the leaves. The color is dark purple, green and transitional from light purple to light green. Purple pigmentation is also observed on stems, leaf petioles, and inflorescences.

The stem and most of the lateral branches end in spikelet-like inflorescences. Basil blooms from July to September. The flowers are small, pink, white or light purple. 70–90 days pass from germination to flowering. Seeds ripen only in the southern regions of Russia.

Agrotechnics

Basil is heat demanding. Its seeds begin to germinate at a temperature of 14-16 degrees, the optimum temperature is 20-25 degrees. At low positive temperatures, it grows and develops poorly, does not tolerate even light frosts. The plant begins to grow rapidly when the temperature rises to 25 degrees.

It is distinguished by an increased demand for light. With shading or low light, the growing season increases and the foliage of plants decreases. Basil does not like excessive moisture in the soil. He is not sick with anything, and pests are afraid of him.

Basil varieties

There are no varieties of basil zoned for the conditions of the Urals. Gardeners and truck farmers have varieties of mainly Caucasian selection, although in recent years good varieties of Russian selection have appeared. But when growing varietal basil, it must be remembered that each variety of basil has a smell peculiar only to it.

• Aniskin ® - mid-season variety, the period from germination to economic shelf life is 50 days. The plant is medium-sized, with a half-raised rosette of leaves, weighing 350-450 g.Recommended for fresh use as salad greens, a gingerbread flavor additive in cooking and canning.
• Anise Scent - the plant is medium-sized, semi-spreading. The stems are green, with an anthocyanin tint, the leaves are green. The mass of one plant is 200–250 g. The aroma of greenery is strong, aniseed.
• Ararat - mid-season variety (the period from germination to the beginning of flowering is 70 days). Plants up to 60 cm high, erect, semi-spreading. Leaves are medium-sized, bluish-green, characterized by increased aromaticity with medium anthocyanin and aniseed aroma. Fresh and dried leaves and young shoots are used as a seasoning, for pickling and salting.
• Cinnamon Scent - a new, early-maturing variety with a pleasant cinnamon aroma. The period from full germination to the beginning of the economic shelf life is 28-32 days. The yield of greenery is high, 2.8-3.0 kg / m2. Plants are sprawling, branchy, Ø 30-40 cm, 35-40 cm high. The weight of one plant is 300-400 g. Recommended for use fresh and dried as a spice and flavoring additive in vitamin salads, hot dishes and canning.
• Baku - plant height 40-50 cm. Leaves are brownish-purple, with a clove-mint aroma.
• Basilisk - early ripening (60-70 days from germination to flowering) variety with green leaves and a compact bush 20-25 cm high, with a large number of small leaves with a strong clove-pepper aroma. His young bush can be saved from the autumn cold by transplanting it into a pot on the windowsill.
• Spring mood - mid-season variety, the period from full germination to the beginning of the economic shelf life is 50-60 days. The plant is of medium height. The rosette of leaves is half-raised. The leaf is green, ovate, large. Blistering of the leaf blade is strong. The color of the flowers is white. The mass of one plant is 160-250 g. The aroma is clove. Greenery yield 2.4-2.9 kg / sq.m.
• Cinnamon Flavor - an early ripe fruitful variety. The bush is compact, semi-spreading. Leaves are medium in size, olive green, with purple wreaths, aromatic, with a bright cinnamon flavor.

• Clove - early ripening variety. Plant with a height of 30–35 cm, compact, densely leafy, ideal for growing in pots on the balcony. The stem is green, with an anthocyanin tint. The leaves are bright green, with a strong clove-aniseed aroma. The best variety for seasoning sauces, pickles, marinades. Possessing a pungent odor, it can be successfully used instead of cloves in vegetable preparations, being at the same time a strong preservative.
• Sultan's Dreams - a new early ripening variety with a magnificent clove-pepper aroma. The period from germination to the beginning of the economic shelf life is 45-50 days. The yield of greenery is high, 1.7-2.0 kg / m2. Plants are well leafy, strong, Ø20-26 cm, height 22-26 cm. Weight of one plant 150-200 g. Recommended for use fresh and dried as a spice and flavoring additive in various salads, hot dishes and for canning.
• Gourmet Anise - mid-season variety, the period from germination to technical ripeness is 60 days. The plant is compact, rounded, 30 cm high, 28 cm in diameter. The leaf is small, ovoid, green in color. The aroma is intense anise. The mass of one plant is 160 g.
• Gourmet Clove - a variety with a multifaceted aroma, which is dominated by the clove note. The period from full germination to the beginning of the economic shelf life is 50 days. The plant is erect, of medium height. The leaf is green, medium-sized, elliptical. The mass of one plant is 800-900 g. The yield of greenery is 2.0-2.5 kg / m2. Perfectly complements the taste of fish, meat, potato, curd dishes, rice and cheese dishes, is used in a variety of salads, soups, sauces, drinks. Recommended to use fresh and dried.
• Yerevan Is a widespread early ripening variety. The plant is sprawling, 40-60 cm high, grows back perfectly after cutting. Plant weight 500 g. The leaves are large, bluish-purple in color, have a pleasant aroma of allspice and tea.Fresh and dried leaves are good as a seasoning for fish and meat dishes, sauces, salads. Perfectly retains its aroma when frozen.
• Table - medium late variety, from germination to the beginning of flowering takes up to 75 days. The plant is up to 60 cm high. The leaves are large, broadly ovate, the leaf edge is serrated, tender, juicy, light green, white flowers. The aroma of greenery is very strong. The mass of one plant is 120-140 g. The yield of greenery is 2 kg / m². Grade value: excellent taste, high amateur demand.

• Emerald - a new early ripening variety, the period from full germination to the beginning of the economic shelf life of 45-55 days. The plant is of medium height, with large, green, convex leaves. The mass of one plant is 500 g. The yield of greenery is 2.6-3.0 kg / m2. The taste of fresh herbs is spicy and hot with sweetness and piquant bitterness; cloves and peppers dominate in the spectrum of aromas. These characteristics are ideal for meat dishes. Recommended to use fresh and dried.
• Tempter - late-ripening fruitful variety. Plants up to 85 cm high, erect, semi-spreading. The leaves are large, green, with a very strong marinade aroma. Harvest of greenery over 4 kg from 1 sq.m.
• Caramel - medium-ripe variety, grown in seedling culture. The plant is medium-sized, spreading, the upper part of the stem has a bright anthocyanin coloration. The aroma is strong, with a fruity caramel scent. It is intended for fresh consumption, drying, freezing, pickling, as well as for flavoring vinegar and other drinks.
• Lime - early ripening variety, the period from full germination to the beginning of the economic shelf life is 45-50 days. Forms a branched dense bush 40-50 cm high. The yield of greenery is 2-3 kg / m2. Possesses a spicy sweetish taste and bright lime aroma. Leaves and young shoots are used in home cooking, fresh and dried. Greens go well with vegetables, cheese, fish, meat, they are used for flavoring drinks and for canning.
• Citric - medium late, very rare basil variety. It is grown in seedling culture. Plants are semi-erect, with bright green large leaves with a strong lemon scent.
• Lemon Scent - the plant is semi-spreading. The stem is medium-sized, green. Leaves are light green, medium in size. They are eaten fresh and dried, as a spicy seasoning for salads, sauces, meat and fish dishes. For flavoring drinks, cottage cheese, cheese, as well as for salting and canning.
• Lemon Miracle - a new early ripening variety with a bright lemon-mint aroma. The period from full germination to the beginning of the economic shelf life is 45-53 days. The yield of greenery is high, 2.3-2.5 kg / m2. Plants 22-26 cm in height, 35-40 cm in diameter, weighing 300-350 g. Recommended for fresh and dried use as a spice and flavor additive in various salads, hot dishes and for canning.
• Spoon-shaped - plants of medium height. The leaves are light green, almost lettuce. Has a scent of cloves and bay leaves.
• Mauritanian - mid-season variety. Plant up to 65 cm high. Leaves with strongly anthocyanin color and serrated edges, purple flowers.
• Marquis - mid-early variety, 65 days pass from germination to the beginning of flowering. The plant is erect, very short, up to only 25 cm high. The leaves are green, small. Suitable for growing in a pot culture.
• Small-leaved - Plants are low, 20-30 cm high. Has small green leaves with the smell of allspice.
• Moskvoretsky SEMKO - mid-season variety. The plant is very compact, up to 40 cm high. The leaves are large, drooping, purple.
• Orion - mid-season variety. The plant is upright, up to 60 cm high, with lilac flowers. The leaves are small, with a strong anthocyanin hue and a strong peppery aroma.
• Osmin - a compact, very ornamental plant, with a rich burgundy color and strong aroma. It is cultivated not only as a spicy-aromatic plant, but also as an ornamental plant.
• Robin the Hood - mid-season variety, the period from germination to the beginning of flowering is 75 days. The plant is 50 cm high. The leaves are dark purple, oblong-ovoid, have a spicy aroma. Plant weight 200-300 g. It is intended for fresh consumption, drying, freezing and pickling.
• Ruby Bouquet ® - a high-yielding mid-season variety, the period from germination to flowering is 65-70 days. Fragrant basil with delicious, decorative leaves. The yield of greenery is 2.0-2.5 kg / m2. Bushes of medium height, semi-spreading, weighing 250-300 g, well leafy, with miniature dark purple leaves. Leaves and stems with a pleasant peppery aroma. They are used fresh as salad greens and a spice-flavoring additive in meat, fish, vegetable dishes, during canning. Good for drying and freezing.
• Excellence ® - salad basil with an unsurpassed aroma and delicate spicy taste. The plant is compact, 20-25 cm high with large, wide leaves, with a high content of essential oils and salts. Grows superbly after cutting.
• Thai Queen - the most decorative of all the many varieties of basil. Has a classic aroma. Bright, contrasting, large inflorescences on neat bushes bloom up to 8 weeks! Good in curbs, containers, flower beds. Can be grown year round as a pot culture. Fresh foliage is used throughout the growing season.
• Tone - mid-season basil variety. Plants up to 55 cm high, erect, semi-spreading. The leaves are green, with finely toothed edges and a very strong aroma. Greenery yield up to 3 kg from 1 sq.m.
• Troll - the plant is semi-spreading, low (35–40 cm). The leaves are small, smooth, green-purple, with an anthocyanin tint. The mass of one plant is 170-280 g. The aroma is strong. Marketable yield of greenery is 1.2-1.8 kg / sq.m. Resistant to sudden changes in temperature. Variety value: high foliage, decorative plant, aromaticity.
• Dreamer - medium late variety, from germination to the beginning of flowering takes up to 90 days. Plants up to 70 cm high and weighing up to 400 g. The leaves are large, light green, petiolate, lanceolate-oval, with a sparsely toothed edge, white flowers. The aroma is clove-peppery, very strong. Greenery yield 3 kg / sq.m.
• Philosopher - an early ripe variety, 45-50 days pass from germination to the beginning of flowering. The plant is up to 30 cm high. The leaves have a strong anthocyanin color, the flowers are purple. The aroma is very strong, clove.
• Purple - mid-season variety, the period from germination to the beginning of flowering is 70 days. The plant is 60 cm high. The leaves are large, oblong-ovoid, have a spicy aroma of allspice. Plant weight 250-300 g.
• Sorcerer - mid-season variety. Semi-spreading plants. The leaves are large, pigmented with anthocyanin. The mass of one plant is 200-300 g. The stem is purple. Marketable yield of greenery is 1.3-2.0 kg / sq.m. Variety value: good foliage, decorative plant, long-lasting aroma.
• Charm - mid-season variety. Plants up to 60 cm high, compact. The leaves are large, dark green with strong purple pigmentation, especially on the underside. The aroma of fresh greenery is very strong, and in dried leaves it lasts up to 3 years.
• Silk road - mid-season high-aromatic variety, the period from germination to technical ripeness is 70 days. Plant up to 40 cm high, compact with a large number of leaves. The leaves are smooth, large, purple in color. The mass of one plant is up to 150-200 g.

"Ural gardener" No. 39-2014