Steven M

Basil still tastes good after it flowers, but the flavor does change in ways you’ll want to understand.   When basil bolts and sends up those pretty white blossoms, the leaves don’t suddenly become useless or bitter.   Instead, the taste shifts to something a bit more pungent and slightly less sweet than the lush, … Read more

Basil does not spread like mint, and that’s actually great news if you’re planning your herb garden carefully.   While both are beloved kitchen staples, basil and mint have completely different growth habits, and understanding that difference can save you a whole lot of weeding later.   If you’ve ever planted mint, you already know … Read more

Basil does spread in the garden, but not the way you might think.   It doesn’t send out sneaky underground runners or aggressively take over your beds like mint can.   Instead, basil spreads primarily through self-seeding, which means it drops its own seeds to grow new plants nearby.   If you’ve ever let a … Read more

Basil smells like mint, but only in a subtle, leafy way rather than an intense, candy-like manner.   When you crush a fresh basil leaf, you’ll catch a faint, sweet, and slightly peppery aroma that shares a gentle herbal kinship with mint.   This happens because both basil and mint belong to the same botanical … Read more

Does basil smell like licorice? Yes, basil can absolutely smell like licorice, but it depends on the specific variety you’re dealing with. If you’ve ever wondered does basil smell like licorice after brushing past a plant in your garden, you’re not alone in noticing that distinct, sweet, anise-like aroma. While the common sweet basil you … Read more

Yes, basil does self pollinate.   Basil is a self-pollinating herb, which means it doesn’t need bees, wind, or any outside help to produce seeds.   When we ask does basil self pollinate, the answer is a clear yes because its flowers have both male and female parts that work together naturally.   If you’ve … Read more

Basil seeds do not need light to germinate, and in fact, they often germinate better in complete darkness. This is a common question for gardeners, and the answer might surprise you since basil plants themselves love full sun.   While light is crucial for the basil plant after it sprouts, the tiny seed itself prefers … Read more

Basil roots in water, and it’s one of the easiest ways to multiply your herb garden.   If you’ve ever clipped a basil stem and wondered if it will grow roots in a glass of water, the answer is a confident yes.   This method works so well that many gardeners use water rooting as … Read more

Basil seeds do not need light to germinate. In fact, they actually prefer complete darkness.   When you’re starting your basil seeds indoors, you’ll often get better germination rates by keeping them in a dark, warm spot rather than on a sunny windowsill.   This surprises many gardeners because once basil seed sprouts and grows … Read more

Basil does return every year, but only if you live in a warm climate.   In most parts of the world, basil is treated as an annual, meaning it completes its life cycle in one season and then dies with the first frost.   However, basil can return every year as a perennial in USDA … Read more