Pep Gt Nyy

Caring for sweet

Wether has

basil

Herbal plant insists on warm conditions to thrive

WHY DO some peopie in-
sist on calling me Basil?

1 may have been as tall and
gangly as Mr. Faulty in my youth,
but you would have to stretch
your imagination almost as wide
as my waistband to get that to fit
now.

Even though I may try to play
the zole of a hen-pecked husband,
none who know my wife would let
me get away with calling her the
Dragon Lady.

Il suppese it could have some-
thing to do with the knack I share
with the original Basil of letting
my overly enthusiastic mouth lead
me into comedic situations.

Personally, while some may
judge them comical, 1 usually find
them embarrassing at best if not
outright perilous.

Be that as it may, Basil is my
nickname and basil is my game —
at least for this week. The herb
that is. As in ‘‘sweet basil’’ or
ocimum basilicum.

I was thinking of writing this
piece earlier and now | am glad
that i did not.

Any basil left exposed to the
chilly temperatures we experienced
last week would have felt as
though it had just received one of

Tobiasson

OVER THE GARDEN GATE

withering experience indeed.

Many competent gardeners have
tried and failed to grow basii in
our climate. This is largely due to
putting it out too scon.

This is one of those plants that
insists on warm soil if it is to
thrive.

In addition, this sun-warmed
soil should contain equal amounts
of sand and organic fibre such zs
compost. The sand allows for
good drainage and the organic

moisture and nutrients.

In other words, this plant does
not respond weil to the extremes
of too much or too little water.

A rich compost will provide all
the necessary nutrients for the rel-
atively short growing season.

If you do not have compost,
use peat as a poor subsiitute in
the soil and fertilize every other
week with a half-strength solution
of a water-soluble product con-
taining more nitrogen (N) than
pkosphorus (P) or potassium (K),
ie. N-P-K.

It is important to water basil
regularly to keep the foliage suc-
culent. Plants which have been
drought-stressed are more likely
to begin the flowering cycle early.

This cycle usually begins in
Augusi and is the precursor to the
death of the plant. This end can
temporarily be put off by pinching
out the flowers as soon as they

Basil can reach 2 to 3 feet in
height and spread, but don’t get
your hopes up. In our area, it
seldom surpasses 18 inches so
plant them 12 inches apart.

Four to 6 plants are usually
sufficient for an average-sized
family.

Plants are easily started from

See Gradually page 14

Cybil Faulty’s looks of doom. A materials hold residual amounts of

WEWS photo Cindy Goodman

JEAN TAYLOR looks over a selection of plants with some-
thing for a window box in mind.

Allan Block, a mortarless concrete block retaining wa wall system, ones unlimited
design potential. Curves, comers, stairways and elaborate landsca is
terraces are easi jeved in both commercial and reskdential projets.

Allan Block provides an attractive, affordable and highly durable retaining wall.

For All Your
Wood Finishing
Needs

Sikkens offers a complete line of
professional Wood Finishing Products,
Gesigned to protect, enhance and
preserve the natural beauty of your
wood.

With products formulated to meet the
specific needs of interior and exterior
woodwork, Sikkens ensures optimal
care In every situation.

For easy application and quality

you can trust, look to Sikkens: a
worthwhile investment for

beautiful wood.

UNITED LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES
929 A 1 1 125 Riverside Drive, North Vancouver

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR ALL YOUR LANDSCAPE NEEDS

Jz9-4593_ ADVICE — DISIGN — INSTALLATION

Queen Size
Mattress

‘Mon. Sat, 9-6 9-6 pm ;
un 12.5 om 986-7361
~ 444 E. 3RD ST, NORTH VANCOUVER =

PERLE PRP TWCETE VEEN? OPRIETS PRA ENTERED