Basil - The Garden Powerhouse
A Summer Love Affair
Basil; the sweet, spicy, and oh-so-satisfying herb that defines summer in the garden. If you’ve ever pinched a leaf and instantly craved pizza, pesto, or a caprese salad, you already know the power basil holds. But beyond the kitchen, basil is a beautiful, fragrant, fast-growing plant that rewards a little love with a whole lot of green magic.
Basil at a Glance
There are many varieties of basil to play with—Genovese for classic pesto, Thai for curries and stir fries, Lemon or Cinnamon for something unique, and even Purple or Holy Basil for colour and medicinal uses. You can grow one or ten, but either way, basil gives back what you put in.
Plant Profile: Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum
Origin: Native to tropical Asia and Africa, but beloved worldwide
Growth Habit: Tender annual herb with a bushy, upright shape, 12–24” tall and wide
Scent: Sweet, spicy, and peppery—like summer kitchens and fresh pesto
Hardiness: Grown as an annual in Zones 2–9 (frost-sensitive but fast-growing)
Likes: Full sun, warm soil, regular harvesting, and well-fed roots
Dislikes: Cold nights, dry or compacted soil, going to seed too early
Season-Long Supply
If you’ve ever had a basil plant bolt straight to seed after a heatwave or start looking leggy and sparse by August, you’re not alone. Basil thrives on attention—but the right kind. Here’s how to keep your plants lush, full, and ultra-productive:
Prune Early, Prune Often
The biggest mistake most people make with basil? Not pinching it back early enough.
Start pinching the tops once your plant has at least 3–4 sets of true leaves.
Snip just above a pair of lower leaves—this encourages side shoots and a bushier shape.
Never let your basil flower if you want to keep harvesting leaves. Once it blooms, leaf flavour fades and the plant shifts energy to seed production.
Tip: If your basil has started to flower, cut it back hard. It’ll usually bounce back within a week or two.
Feed the Soil, Not Just the Plant
Basil is a hungry herb. To keep it lush and leafy, your soil needs to stay rich and active all season. That’s where Oceanic Bloom Boost comes in.
This small-but-mighty soil conditioner—made from organic compost tea and nutrient-rich sea kelp—helps promote balanced growth, stronger roots, and more flavourful foliage. We use it in our own garden beds and container plantings every 3–4 weeks during the summer to keep our basil thriving, especially during periods of high harvest.
PS: Using Oceanic Bloom Boost gives your basil a serious upgrade.
Harvesting for Abundance
Always harvest from the top down, and never remove more than 1/3 of the plant at a time.
Use clean scissors or your fingers to pinch stems above a pair of leaves.
Regular picking prevents flowering and encourages more growth—don’t be shy!
Bonus: If you end up with too much basil (lucky you), blend it with olive oil and freeze in ice cube trays. Instant pesto base all year long.
A Note on Containers vs Beds
Basil does beautifully in pots and containers, especially near the kitchen. Just be sure to:
Use a high-quality organic potting mix with good drainage.
Feed with a mild liquid fertilizer (like diluted Oceanic Bloom Boost) every 2–3 weeks.
Water consistently—basil hates drying out but also doesn’t want soggy roots.
In garden beds, interplant basil near tomatoes or peppers. Not only does it enjoy the same conditions, but basil’s scent may help deter pests like aphids and thrips.
Uses & Folklore
Basil isn’t just for pesto—though we’ll never say no to that. This versatile herb has a rich history of culinary, medicinal, and magical use that spans continents and cultures.
In the kitchen, basil is a warm-weather staple. Use it fresh in salads, pasta, and drinks, or blend it into sauces and oils. The leaves are most fragrant just before flowering, and best used raw or added at the end of cooking to preserve their flavour. You can dry basil or freeze it in olive oil, but nothing beats the taste of just-picked leaves in high summer.
Medicinally, basil has long been used to calm digestion, ease headaches, and lift low spirits. Its essential oil is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, and in traditional herbalism, it’s considered both a heart herb and a nervine—supporting emotional clarity and focus.
And then there’s the folklore…
In ancient Greece, basil was associated with mourning and used in funerary rituals, while in India, holy basil (tulsi) is revered as a sacred plant of protection and purification. In Italian tradition, basil was once a symbol of love—if a woman placed a pot of basil on her balcony, it signaled she was ready to receive a suitor.
In garden magic, basil is thought to attract abundance and good luck. Plant it near doorways, tuck a sprig in your wallet, or steep it in water and use it to cleanse your home. Whether or not you believe in old herbal superstitions, basil definitely makes everything feel a little more alive.
Ways to Use Your Basil
In the Kitchen: Fresh Basil Oil
This fragrant oil is a kitchen staple and a skin soother—perfect for summer sun-drenched skin or tired muscles.
In the Apothecary: Basil Steam for Congestion & Clarity
A simple, powerful way to use basil’s aromatic oils to support your respiratory system and reset a foggy brain.
Basil isn’t just an herb—it’s a reminder to slow down and savour what summer brings.
From pesto-covered pasta to fragrant facial steams and garden rituals for abundance, basil finds its way into every part of a sun-soaked season.
With a little pruning, thoughtful soil support (hello, Oceanic Bloom Boost), and regular harvesting, your plants will reward you with more than you could ever use—and that’s exactly the kind of abundance we love to grow.
So pick a leaf, take a breath, and let basil work its warm-weather magic.
