Notes from the Garden: Broccoli Seedlings & Basil Flowers



broccoli seedlings



We're going to take advantage of the cooler weather this week to transplant all the broccoli, cabbage cauliflower & kale seedlings that we started in trays last month.



Napa Cabbage seedlings

 If you missed Saturday's "September in the Garden" Class, do not fret. The class will be repeated Wednesday September 7th at 1pm, so you still have a chance to get guidance on what you can do in your garden this month.

I have had a few people ask me why I let some of the basil in the Monument Garden flower. It is true that once basil starts to flower the leaves on that stem will stop producing as much essential oil, which is what gives basil its flavor. 

Red Ruffles Basil



Lemon Basil

I let the Thai and Red Ruffles Basil in the Herb garden flower because is is pretty and adds color to the garden. Lemon Basil goes to flower so quickly it is hard to keep it cut back enough to stop it and the flavor of this variety doesn't seem to change drastically, so I have decided to be zen and enjoy the color of the flowers.

But the real reason I can tolerate flowers on my basil is this...

and this...

BEES LOVE BASIL FLOWERS!!! And I love bees....ergo, I can let my basil flower without feeling too guilty about it.



Siam Queen Basil



Now, it it should be noted that only the leaves on the stem that is flowering will decline in flavor, not the whole plant, so you can let a few stems flower and still get full flavor from other parts of the plant. Also, you can cut back your basil plant heavily after flowering and get new tender growth that will have resumed full essential oil production. I'd reccomend planting a few plants for harvesting that can you keep cut back, and a few that you can leave to the bees. My favorite basils to let flower are Red Ruffles and Siam Queen Thai basil, which both produce particularly thick and beautiful flower heads.

basil seeds drying

You can also save your basil seeds for next season. Once the flowers start to turn brown & dry you can harvest the spear. Let them dry until you can crumble the flowers easily to extract the black seeds. Basils can cross pollinate, so, if you grow more than one type of basil, don't be surprised to find some rogue plants from the seeds you save. Make sure you start a few more plants than you think you'll need next season to allow for any funny mixes. Who knows - maybe you'll end up with an even better basil!