Check out my other items!Amber's OrganicsOrganic Lemon Basil Lemon Basil (Ocimum × citriodorum) is a hybrid between Basil (Ocimum basilicum) and African Basil (Ocimum americanum)).It is a herbgrown primarily in northeastern Africa and southern Asia, for itsstrong fragrant lemon scent it is used in cooking, essential oils.Lemon basil hasstems that can grow to 3' tall. It has white flowers in late summer toearly fall. The leaves are similar to Basil leaves, but tend to benarrower. Seeds form on the plant after flowering and dry on the plant.Lemon basil requires the samecare as other basil varieties. Being a tropical plant it should be in aspot receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight. It is actuallyquite hardy and will grow continuously given only water, but flavorwill be at risk if not given any fertilizer, chemical or organic. Itcan really grow in a matter of weeks. The only pointer to rememberabout watering is it should be watered whenever the topmost part of thesoil is dry. At this time the plant will wilt, but will be back tonormal once watered.Basil should never reach flowering during the harvesting periods. If given a chance to flower, its flavor willbesacrificed and the leaves become smaller and rather leathery. Once theflower clusters form, they should be removed so that the plant willcontinue its vegetative growth. It is, however, a good idea for it tobe left to flower and set seeds that will be collected during fall,because the cold winter frosts will kill the basil plant anyway sosowing the seeds 2 weeks indoors before the last frost will providenext year's harvest.Harvesting once a week foreach plant will make it bushy due to the side shoots that will develop.The plant should never be completely defoliated. Propagation isachieved by sowing seeds and from stem cuttings. Seedlings will reachsix inches in 3-4 weeks and should be harvested at this time to letthem branch out. Stem cuttings will gain roots after a week of beingsoaked in water. The setup is simply a mason jar filled with water anda square of mesh with big enough holes to hold the plant in place whilethe roots grow. As many cuttings as the gardener wishes can be planted,preferably the most vigorous stems that can be found because they willroot faster.The water should be changed every few days. After 2-3weeks, the roots will be long enough for it to be transplanted into apot or to its permanent position in the garden.'Lemon basil'has a strong lemony smell and flavour very different from those ofother varieties, because it contains a chemical called citral. It iswidely used in Indonesia, where it is called kemangi and served raw,together with raw cabbage, green beans, and cucumber, LEMON BASIL TAPENADE This spread from the South of France is a natural on grilled bread or pizza, or as a stuffing for chicken breasts.1 cup pitted black Niçoise or Kalamata olives 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon chopped lemon basil3 tablespoons chopped capers 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice Freshly ground pepperPlace olives, garlic, basil and capers in a food processor. Pulse a fewtimes until the mixture becomes a rough paste. Place in mixing bowl andadd lemon juice and pepper. May be stored in refrigerator up to oneweek. Bring to room temperature before serving.QUICK FRESH TOMATO SAUCE WITH LEMON BASIL Perfect for quick and tasty meals. Serve over chicken, pasta, tofu, fish or rice.3 ripe red tomatoes (the best available), peeled, seeded and roughly chopped 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, finely minced Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 package lemon basilHeat oil in fry pan. Add garlic and stir fry for 30 seconds to aminute, being careful not to brown. Add tomatoes with their juice.Season and cook for 10-15 minutes. Add chopped basil and serveimmediately. Can be stored in refrigerator for up to one week.50 seeds.MORE USES OF BASIL!To make oil for salads, poundthe fresh leaves and mix with a good salad or vegetable oil. Iffreezing the leaves, coat them with olive oil first. Leaves also can bedried and stored in salt. In the landscape, don’tmerely relegate basil to the herb or vegetable garden. Considerplanting it in scented gardens, or use it as edging along a bed or paththat you'll brush past and release the aroma. Or try mass plantings ofbasil in a border, plant in decorative outdoor containers, or grow inpots indoors, if you have lots of light. In ancient times, pots ofbasil on the windowsill were used to deter flies. Other uses of basil includethe cosmetic. Put fresh leaves in a hot bath as an infusion, forexample. As a tonic, steep a few leaves in wine for several hours. Orsteep in water as a tea to aid digestion. A drop of basil oil onshirtsleeves will help counteract mental fatigue.Disclaimer: Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease.All seeds are grown for 2013 so please ignore OLD listings that state otherwise. Amber's Organics seeds are fresh and the best so buy with confidence that what you will receive will be the most high quality seeds on the market.
