Mrs. Burns' Lemon Basil Seeds

Days to Maturity: 60

Mrs. Burns' Lemon Basil is nothing short of an idol among fine chefs and gardeners alike! This heirloom was discovered in New Mexico, and it is absolutely the best lemon basil available anywhere, with larger leaves and a much more intense, citrusy, mouth-puckering flavor.

This heat-loving plant sets 2 1/2-inch leaves of dark green on plants 18 to 24 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide. A great choice for containers as well as the herb or vegetable garden, it is aromatic and very pest and disease resistant. Strongly recommended for anyone who values strong fragrance and flavor.

Sow seeds outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after last spring frost, or begin indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplant date. It germinates in 5 to 15 days. Thin when seedlings are 2 inches tall. Pinch the central stem of the plant back several times during growth to encourage the production of side shoots. Lean soils in a sunny location will produce more flavorful oils, but it will tolerate partial sun.

Be sure to grow some on a sunny indoor windowsill for fresh herbs just steps away from your cooking. It's also a bit more heat tolerant than sweet basil, a plus for gardens in the South. It produces small terminal racemes of pink flowers, but you'll want to keep them pinched back to promote dense, bushy growth and focus the plant's energy on producing aromatic oil instead of flowers.