Thoughts of summer garden abound as flowerless basil is introduced by seed company

Thoughts of summer garden abound as flowerless basil is introduced by seed company
                        
Basil is popular in the summer garden, especially if the gardener enjoys cooking. A versatile culinary and medicinal herb with a rich history, basil’s roots go as far back as the third century BC when mentioned in the writings of the Greek philosopher Chrysippus of Soli, the father of propositional logic. An herb with a storied past that spread throughout the world even before the convenience of modern communication, basil was thought to generate serpents if it was crushed and placed under a stone. The origin of the common name comes from the Latin basilicum after the mythical basilisk creature that was a giant serpent. If eaten, basil was believed to cause scorpions to grow in the brain and today remains associated with the astrological sign of Scorpio. In India, basil was a sacred Hindu symbol of protection and a sprig was buried with loved ones to protect them in the afterlife. In Italy, the country we most associate the culinary use of basil, it represented love and a pot of basil on the windowsill served as a signal from a woman to her lover. Called bacia-nicola, the names translates to kiss me Nicolas. It is doubtful Nicolas had scorpions growing in his brain. Fortunately, basil would come to be regarded simply as a garden herb to be used for the flavoring of foods by the 19th century. Today basil is cultivated all over the world. In our region, basil grows well in the summer months. Basil is easy to grow but unfortunately, it bolts easily. Bolting is caused when plants experience stress from summer’s heat and quickly flower to produce seed. Once basil has bolted, the plant becomes leggy or stretched and produces few leaves, the desirable part of the plant. Keeping basil well watered, heavily mulched and pinching off the flowers as they appear can slow the bolting process down but it can be a lot of work if you grow several plants. One popular seed company has produced a new variety of basil that resists bolting altogether. The plant is compact and much like the appearance and flavor of Genovese basil, one of the more popular garden varieties, according to the company’s catalog and website. “Bam” Basil, introduced this year by Burpee, is a major breakthrough. “Bam” is flowerless basil that will not bolt and is bred to keep producing all season long, even in the very hottest summer weather. Described by the company as deliriously fragrant and flavorful, the plant matures in 60-120 days in full sun. A no bolt or even slow bolt basil is a dream come true for the herb gardener. “Bam” Basil is available this spring but you can’t start it from seed, there are none. Plants will be shipped after the danger of frost has passed. I am usually skeptical about the grand claims seed companies make when it comes to new varieties that seem to revolutionize the way we garden. I am willing to try this new hybrid basil created by guided natural reproduction, however. Even if it only works half as well as the company claims, it will mean less time dead-heading and more time enjoying the sights, smells and flavors of the basil.


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