Basil -- so pungent, so fragile. The least bit of sustained cool temperatures and leaves yellow then drop. My little starters are still in the greenhouse. I'm an over-protective mother when it comes to basil.

I have 3 types of Basil starters:  Genovese, Thai and Mammoth. Each one has a unique growth habit and flavor.

Genovese Basil is commonly used in pesto, tomato sauces, and on pizza. The plant has a relatively sturdy habit, growing to about 12" tall by 8" wide (over a warm, dry summer).

Thai Basil loves the hot, humid dog days of summer. We don't get a whole lot of that kind of weather here in the Pacific Northwest. If you think about where this plant comes from, it makes sense that in hot muggy Thailand the plant prospers. In this climate we have to work harder to make it happy, but the flavor is worth the trouble. Thai Basil has a delicate habit, with thin branches and small leaves, and grows 8 to 10" tall by 6 to 8" wide. Yummy in stir fries, wraps and soup.

Mammoth Basil is also known as Lettuce Leaf Basil. The plant has lovely, large leaves with a mild flavor that I find perfect in fresh salads, as a wrap, and for garnishes. The plant grows 6 to 10" tall and about as wide.

I'm hoping to be able to harden off the starters this next week when the forecast is for warmer weather. If that happens they'll get planted around Memorial Day.

Hardening off is another subject to mumble on about at this time of year. It isn't cool temperatures that are the biggest problem, but the drying effects of direct sunlight on a plant without a deep root system. Almost any starter from a protected environment like a greenhouse or windowsill needs a gradual introduction to direct rays of the sun. Begin by setting your starters outside for morning sun exposure and afternoon shade. After a couple days increase the direct sun exposure a little longer each day. After 3 to 4 days they should be hardened off. A cloudy day is ideal for planting starters in the garden. Keep the starts well-watered at least for the first week or 2 until their root systems expand to support providing enough moisture to the leaf canopy.

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