Meet the neighbours · herb
Basil
A tender annual that wants full sun, heat, and consistent water — tomato's best friend in the garden and in the kitchen.
Basil is the friend who makes the other neighbours look good. Tuck it at the feet of your tomatoes and the whole bed smells like dinner.
It is a tender annual that loves full sun, heat, and steady water without staying soggy. It does not transplant well, so Cindy often grows it in a pot on the patio where it can stay warm and protected. It cannot tolerate frost or even a chill.
How to grow it
- Wait for warm nights. Basil sulks below 10°C and will blacken at the first frost.
- Give it full sun and consistent water, but let the soil drain well.
- Grow it in a pot you can move out of cold wind if your spring nights are unpredictable.
- Pinch off flower buds weekly to keep the plant bushy and productive — eat the pinched buds right away.
How to use & eat it
- Basil Pesto: 4 cups packed fresh basil, 3–4 cloves garlic, 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper, 1/2 cup almonds, 3/4 cup+ olive oil, 3/4 cup grated parmesan, optional 2–4 tbsp lemon juice. Blend basil, garlic, and oil until smooth; add nuts, salt, and pepper; stir in cheese by hand. Freeze in small jars topped with a layer of olive oil for year-round use.
- A valuable companion plant — helps protect tomatoes from insects and disease while improving their flavour.
Makes friends with
Companion planting is just good neighbouring — these do better beside Basil.
TomatoPepperMarigold
Cook with it
- Basil PestoA summer staple in Cindy's kitchen — "It isn't possible to have too much basil in my opinion. That's what pesto is for."
- Carrot Top PestoA great way to use up the carrot tops most people throw away — don't waste them, they're more nutritious than the root itself.
- Nasturtium PestoCindy's own words: "Best pesto ever!" A creative way to use the peppery leaves of an often-overlooked garden flower.
- Homemade Greek SpanakopitaA savory Greek spinach pie with crispy phyllo layers, taught to Cindy by a family friend and made with whatever fresh garden greens are on hand.
Tips for this plant
- The Ten-Minute Evening Slug PatrolNo sprays, no pellets — just a flashlight and a bad attitude.
Other neighbours
- TomatoThe loud, generous neighbour who shows up with more than you asked for.
- Calendula (Pot Marigold)Hardy, self-seeding, vibrant flowers with edible, lightly peppery petals — great in salads and as a soothing tea.