Meet Mike in Fredericksburg on the 12th and 13th
Mike will appear next Saturday and Sunday, March 12 and 13, at the Spring Home Show at the Fredericksburg Expo Center. He’ll give talks on Saturday at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.; and at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday. Information here.
Expect bad basil blight to bounce back
Stan in Arlington writes: “I’ve had miserable luck growing Genovese Basil the last few years. I usually grow more than 150 plants so I can supply all my neighbors, doctor, dentist and just about anyone who walks by. I vaguely remember reading an article that this particular variety of basil was becoming susceptible to some kind of virus/bug/infection that was coming up from the South …”
Yes, Stan — as we have been reporting here on ‘TOP for the past two years, “large leaf sweet Italian basil” — the most popular type, of which Genovese is the most popular specific variety — has fallen prey to a fungal blight. And its spores, like the ones that cause late blight on tomatoes — do indeed “blow up” on the wind from down South every season. It’s a nasty one, but there are some things you can do to protect this essential herb.
“Break out the arms and ammo because there’s something in the air …”
Stan in Arlington writes that he grows a lot of basil, but has had “miserable luck” the last few years: “I think I’ve heard that it’s something in the air — but that sounds weird.”
Weird but true, Stan: As Thunderclap Newman once so brilliantly sang, there is “something in the air.” In this case, the spores of a bad blight that specifically targets large-leafed sweet Italian basil — the most popular type.
The good news is that there are hundreds of other kinds of basils to choose from; and some, like Burpee’s “Summerlong” variety and “Dwarf Greek” basil from J.L. Hudson offer that distinctive pesto-perfect basil flavor — although admittedly on much smaller leaves. Ah, but those smaller leaves may be the reason these types don’t typically bend to the blight. Smaller leaves are a less attractive target.
Assemble a batch of B-Team basils
Stan the Basil Man in Arlington has been hit hard by the basil blight that has affected gardeners up and down the coast the past two summers, and wants to know what he can do to fight back — specifically asking, “what varieties of basil are close to the Genovese I have been growing but are not susceptible?”
Well Stan, there are hundreds of different varieties of basil out there, and evidence is strong that the disease does not affect any of the specialty types — like Thai basil, Persian basil, Holy basil or lemon basil.
And even within the classic “large leaf types” that you and so many other gardeners depend on, Burpee offers seeds and plants of several varieties that are similar to the classic variety Genovese, but not exactly the same.
For instance: “San Remo,” described as an improved form of Genovese. Plus two other varieties they simply call “large leaf” and “sweet.” I suggest planting a patch of each: one or two may prove to be much more resistant to this blight than the big G.
Subject purchased plants to strict inspection
Stan in Arlington is focusing on his poor experience growing large leafed sweet Italian basil the past few years, but gardeners need to be aware that his problem — basil blight — is very similar to the late blight that has been affecting tomatoes, and to another blight that wipes out shade loving impatiens.
Unfortunately, all three of these blights have been traced to already infected cheap “starter plants” that are grown down South and then shipped to home stores and chain centers up North.
The best advice here is to buy your plants from a local nursery that either grows their own plants or has them grown locally.
If you’re shopping at a mass merchant, examine plants carefully before buying, and turn down any that look even slightly off. Warning: Plants with obvious symptoms of blight have been found on local shelves in each of the past few seasons and their purchase and planting brings the disease spores to your garden months ahead of time.
The path to basil brilliance
Stan in Arlington is one of many who have had trouble growing large leafed sweet Italian basil the past few years, thanks to a basil blight that begins in Florida and then sweeps North rapidly on the wind.
To try and avoid this infection:
- Plant several different varieties of basil from different sources.
- Plant only in raised beds or containers — no flat earth gardening.
- Plant only in areas that get full sun and excellent airflow.
- Do not feed the plants chemical fertilizers.
- But do mulch their beds or the tops of their containers with compost.
- Never wet the leaves when you water. Soak the soil, but avoid getting the leaves damp.
- And only water in the morning, never in the evening.
