is very acid, sweeten it with some lime. Otherwise, let it be.
Detailed information on fertilizing
is given in "Spadework: The
Essential Soil" in Parti.
If basil needs water the leaves w i l l w i l t — give it enough water to prevent this.
Special handling
Pinch off the terminal shoots to encourage branching and slow d o w n flower p r o d u c t i o n . If you d o n ' t , the plants will get tall and
leggy-Pests
Basil has no serious pest problems.
Diseases
Basil has no serious disease problems.
When and how to harvest Pick the basil as you need it by cutting a few inches off the t o p . This will encourage the plant to become bushy instead of going to flower.
Storing and preserving
Store the crushed dry leaves in an airtight container. You can also freeze the leaves. Detailed information on storing and preserving is given in Part 3.
Serving suggestions
Fresh basil gives a w o n d e r f u l flavor to sliced tomatoes dressed w i t h a little oil and lemon juice, and it's good in other salads, t o o . Fresh basil is the essential
ingredient in pesto, a luxuriously aromatic pasta dish. You can also use the leaves — fresh or dried — w i t h fish, game and meat
dishes, on eggs, and in stews and sauces. Try herbed butter w i t h basil, or make basil vinegar.
Common name: borage Botanical name: Borago
officinalis Origin: Europe
Varieties
Few varieties are available; g r o w the variety available in your area.
Description
Borage is a tender annual that grows t w o to three feet tall. The stems and leaves are grey-green and covered w i t h velvety hair, and the light blue flowers grow In d r o o p i n g clusters. W h e n borage is In flower it's a striking plant, especially if you set it high — on a w a l l , for instance — because the n o d d i n g flowers
are seen to best advantage f r o m below. The flowers are used to add color to p o t p o u r r i . Borage, like t h y m e , is supposed to give courage. An old English jingle goes: "\, Borage, Bring C o u r a g e . "
Where and when to grow Borage w i l l grow almost
anywhere in the United States. It tolerates a w i d e range of
temperatures but will not survive a hard frost. Because of its striking coloring and unusual flowers, it makes an attractive indoor plant.
How to plant
Borage prefers well-drained sandy soil in full sun. W h e n you're preparing the soil, dig in a complete, well-balanced fertilizer at the rate of one p o u n d per 100 square feet. Plant borage f r o m seed in early spring after the average date of last frost.
Plant the seeds (which
germinate readily) a quarter inch deep in rows 18 to 24 inches apart, and w h e n the plants are six to eight inches tall, thin them to stand 12 inches apart.
Fertilizing and watering
Do not fertilize borage again at midseason. Detailed information on fertilizing is given in
"Spadework: The Essential S o i l " in Part 1.
Let borage dry out between waterings.
Pests
Borage has no serious pest problems. Like most herbs, it's a good choice for the organic garden.
Diseases
Borage has no serious disease problems.
When and how to harvest
Harvest y o u n g leaves as needed t h r o u g h o u t the growing season, and harvest the entire plant in the fall before frost.
Storing and preserving
Refrigerate the stems and leaves for fresh use, or freeze t h e m . Detailed information on storing and preserving is given in Part 3.
Serving suggestions
Fresh borage leaves have a cucumberlike taste and can be used in salads, soups, and stews, or cooked like spinach. You can peel the stems and use them in salads. Borage flowers are sometimes candied for use as a garnish in fruit drinks.
Common name: caraway Botanical name: Carum carvi Origin: Europe
Varieties
Few varieties are available; grow the variety available in your area.
Description
Caraway is a biennial grown for its leaves and seeds. It has fine
feathery leaves that grow in a short rosette; the second year the plant produces w h i t e , dill-like flowers on fine, two-foot flower stalks. The finely cut foliage makes the caraway plant a charming foil to flowers in a garden border.
When and where to grow
If you only want the foliage, you can grow caraway anywhere in the United States. In some colder areas, however, it may need winter protection in order to produce
flowers and seeds in the second year.
How to plant
Caraway prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade; it grows best in a well-drained sandy soil.
W h e n you're preparing the soil, dig in a complete, well-balanced fertilizer at the rate of one p o u n d per 100 square feet. Caraway has a taproot, w h i c h makes it difficult to transplant, so grow it f r o m seed sown in early spring in the South or in fall in cooler
northern areas. Plant the seeds a quarter inch deep in rows 18 to 24 inches apart, and thin the plants to stand 12 to 18 inches apart.
Caraway will reseed itself in most areas, assuring you a constant supply.
Fertilizing and watering Fertilize before planting and again at midseason, at the same rate as the rest of the garden.
The second year do not fertilize at midseason. Detailed information on fertilizing is given in
"Spadework: The Essential S o i l " i n P a r t i .
Allow caraway plants to dry out between waterings.