Basil

Basil grows year around and grows like weeds in my region. I did not plant any of these, but rather I removed the seedlings from different planters as they popup and transplanted them here. I will take this planter to my first floor balcony to make it easier to pick when needed.

 

Thailand Basil

Thai Basil has such an amazing aroma I've been trying to grow more, but I'm finding it is a little more difficult to grow. It grows slower and does not produce as many seeds as regular basil, but have been successful in growing a few more plants.

I planted about 9 seeds in this planter and two have sprouted. One is now large, while one is still a tiny seedling. I hope more seeds sprout.

Thailand Basil

The Thailand Basil seeds I planted a few days ago are sprouting. I am growing a lot of this basil, primarily, to collect seeds for my seed stock; however, I suspect these seeds will also taste amazing in dishes, like Thai-chicken basil.

 

Thailand Basil

(10/5) I transplanted five Thailand Basil seedlings to a different planter. I look forward to growing tons of this basil.

 

Thailand Basil

(9/29) I picked up this Thailand Basil plant at the Nago Aguri Park greenhouse for 100 Yen ($1) about 10 days ago and immediately planted it. I selected a Basil plant with lots of flowers so I could harvest the seeds and sure enough the seeds have already started to drop and seedlings are starting to sprout. I love the aroma of this Basil and the flowers smell like Licorice.

I loved this Nago Aguri Park greenhouse because they seem to have plants that the typical farmers market does not sell, like Malabar Spinach.

    https://goo.gl/maps/Ltbdg3ZoMpp5y9KWA

    なごアグリパーク 〒905-0012 沖縄県名護市字名護４６０７−１ 0980-43-6010

Plants Bolting (Cilantro, Coriander, Pakuchi, Basil, Garlic Chives, Nira)

Time to collect more seeds for the next planting season. 

Cilantro (Coriander, Pakuchi) flowers are exceptionally pungent and can be stronger than a handful of leaves. 

Basil flowers are great for salads. The plants produce a lot of flowers and seeds, so there are plenty for both eating and saving for next season. 

I do not plant the seeds from Garlic Chives (Nira) since they do not always grow true to the mother plant, so I either eat them or just cut them off.

Herbs (Basil Seed Harvesting

Removed the four brown rings of seed pods just above my fingers.

Rubbed the pods in my hands and the seeds simply drop out. These seeds can be put back in the dirt to grow or stored for future use.

Herbs (Basil)

I can grow basil year round and it grows like a weed. I harvest my own seeds. They fly everywhere and tend to grow wherever they landed, so I find myself pulling them out from other pots and replanting them.

When they mature they will flower and produce seed pods.

I let these seed pods dry before I pull them off. I put them in a light colored bowl so I can see the seeds and let them dry a little more. Then I literally rub a handful of pods in my hands and the little black seeds fall out. I separate the seeds and store them for future planting.

I picked these Basil plants from other pots and replanted them. I simply press my fingers in the dirt and pinch them out and push them in a new pot. They are not delicate.