The Summer My Basil Finally Thrived

Basil and I have historically had a complicated relationship.

For years, I would plant it with the best intentions and high hopes, only to find myself standing in the garden by midsummer looking at a sad little plant that had clearly given up.

Usually, the culprit was some combination of the intense Georgia heat and my forgetfulness when it came to watering.

But this year?

The basil at Blackberry House decided to surprise me. Honestly, I’m downright shocked.

It is thriving.

I’m not entirely sure what changed. Maybe it was moving the herbs into our raised beds instead of keeping them in containers. Maybe it was the unusually rainy June that gave everything a strong start. Or maybe I’m finally developing a bit of a green thumb after all of these years.

Whatever the reason, I suddenly found myself with a wonderful gardening problem:

More basil than I knew what to do with.

And honestly?

It’s been a great surprise and a real pat myself on the back type of moment.

I love basil too much to let it go to waste, so I’ve been figuring out creative ways to use it and preserve it, so I can enjoy it well into the fall.

If your garden is overflowing with basil right now, like mine, here are a few simple things I’ve been doing.

Homemade Basil Pesto

There is something incredibly satisfying about walking out to the garden, gathering a handful of fresh basil, and turning it into something you can enjoy later.

For pesto, I keep it simple with fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, walnuts, and plenty of Parmesan.

My favorite trick has been freezing small portions in ice cube trays. It makes it easy to pull out just what I need later for pasta, sandwiches, or a quick dinner when I want a little reminder of summer.

Simple Basil Salt

This has easily been my favorite discovery this season. Thanks TikTok 🙂

It’s simple and oddly satisfying to make.

I finely chop fresh basil leaves (you’ll want to wash and dry those first), then mix the leaves with coarse salt using a food processor, spread the mixture out on pans, and let it air dry for several days. Once it’s ready, I store it in a jar and use it throughout the year.

It’s wonderful sprinkled over eggs in the morning, roasted vegetables, tomatoes, or anything that could use a little extra summer flavor.

Drying Basil for Later

For an even easier option, drying basil is a great way to enjoy your harvest long after the garden slows down.

You can dry a few different ways. By simply bundling the stems together and hang them upside down in a warm, dark spot until the leaves are completely dry or by drying in the oven. I opted for the latter. Spread a thin layer of basil leaves (that have been previously washed & dried) on a sheet pan, and cook on low at 180-200 degrees until the leaves are dry and crispy. I crumbled the leaves and placed in an air tight mason jar to use throughout the winter.

P.S. You can do this with other herbs too.

A Few Things I’ve Learned

Like everything else in gardening, basil has taught me a few lessons along the way.

I’ve realized gardening isn’t all about growing food or the pretty flowers. (That’s pretty cool though!)

Gardening in a lot of ways is similar to life… or at least what I’m noticing. Growth takes patience. There will be struggles. And then sometimes, with just the right conditions and the willingness to keep trying- it all suddenly pays off.

And sometimes, if we’re lucky, we end up with more basil than we know what to do with.