Basil - The King of Herbs

One of the most popular herbs is Ocimum basilicum commonly called sweet basil.  Often called the ‘king of herbs,’ basil can be grown indoors or out.  Sweet basil has inch-long, oval-pointed, dark green leaves and a clove-pepperish odour and taste.  Sweet basil makes a handsome, bushy small plant, growing to a foot or more indoors.  A purple-leafed variety, ‘Dark Opal’ is decorative, makes a lovely houseplant, and is equally useful in cookery.  Do not let basil bloom, or it will go to seed.  Instead, pinch out the plant tops and they will grow into compact little bushes.

Basil is an annual and grows 12 – 24 inches (30 – 60 cm) as the height varies according to the variety.  Cultivation requirements for growing basil: full sun; light, well-drained, nutrient rich, slightly acidic soil; frequent watering (don’t waterlog); will not tolerate cold; pinch off flower stalks for a longer season of leaf production.

Basil can be easily started from seed or can be brought indoors at the end of the growing season.  If you are bringing basil indoors, choose the most robust plants.  Before the first frost, dig them out of the garden and pot them up in fresh potting soil.  Basil can also be grown in pots outdoors and treated the same way when bringing them in for winter.  Check for insects and if there is an infestation, spray with a soap and water spray.  Gradually reverse the hardening off process by keeping the pots out of direct sunlight for about a week.  The plants will become acclimatised to the lower light conditions they will experience indoors.  Bring them inside and provide the conditions they need to continue growing.

Basil requires at least five hours of sunlight a day to stay healthy and flavourful.  If you are growing basil on the windowsill, turn regularly to ensure every side receives light.  Don’t let basil leaves touch the cold glass.  Basil grows even better under fluorescent lights in the winter.  Hang the lights 6 inches (15 cm) from plants and leave lights on for 14 hours a day.

There are many cultivars of basil.  Two that are particularly popular are: O. basilicum ‘Dark Opal’- only herb to win the All American Award of Excellence – can be used the same as sweet basil; O. basilicum ‘Citriodorum’- strong lemon scent – nice for tea and with chicken and fish.

In the garden, basil can be planted with tomatoes as it helps to overcome both insects and disease.  Basil also repels flies and mosquitoes.  In the kitchen, use basil in tomato dishes (both raw and cooked), pesto, sauces, salad dressings, soups, fish dishes, mushroom dishes, egg and rice dishes, mixed with other herbs, omelettes, pasta dishes, vegetables such as carrots, eggplant, cabbage, squash, and zucchini.  Use fresh leaves in salads and add fresh leaves to vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.  Basil can be used fresh, frozen, or dried.  Use basil with discretion, as it is one of the few herbs that increase in flavour when heated.

Battery Powered Chainsaws

Battery powered chainsaws are fairly rare in the United States, but if you are interested in a battery powered chainsaw you can find them.  It may take some digging to do.  There is one brand currently being offered that claims a single chain blade can cut 4,000 pieces of PVC pipe with only a small amount of oil required.

This saw has a chain tip guard to prevent kickback and extend chain life.  The electric brake stops within ½ second of releasing the trigger.  It also has hand guards.  A hex wrench allows for rapid blade changes and adjustments.

The chain guard allows fast entry to the blade and motor housing area.  The 12 V.N1-MH battery gives you a longer operating time. You can buy an optional handle if you will need a longer reach.  This 4.6 pound dynamo cuts through a variety of PVC piping diameters.

We found two other brands of battery powered chainsaws.  One made in China has a 12 volt battery and a shock absorption system. The other brand has an 18 volt battery and a 10 inch chain.  There is little information currently available on these saws and most of what is available is anecdotal.

On one message board we found a discussion thread on cordless battery operated chainsaws.  One participant said he made 12 cuts and took down a five inch sugar maple.

Another said he got one and it wouldn’t cut a two inch twig – he had the chain on backwards. Overall it looks like the ideal chainsaw for the occasional user who wants to do some light pruning or to take down small trees.

Beautiful Calla Lilies

The Calla Lilies are plants belonging to the Zantedeschia genus in the Araceae family. The genus contains seven plant species and they are all commonly referred to as Calla Lillies. Some of them have other common names as well. Zantedeschia aethiopica is also known as giant white arum lily and common arum lily. Zantedeschia albomaculata is sometimes sold as spotted arum lily, and Zantedeschia rehmannii is known as the pink arum lily. Zantedeschia elliottiana has a yellow shade and is therefore called yellow or golden arum lily. The other three species, Zantedeschia odorata, Zantedeschia jucunda and Zantedeschia pentlandii, are usually called just Calla Lilies. 

All the Calla Lilies originate from the African continent and are found wild between north Malawi and South Africa. They are often referred to as Arum Lilies. The Calla Lilies should not be confused with the flowers found in the genus named Calla that can be found in the Araceae family. This genus contains only one species, the Calla palustris, and unlike the Calla Lilies, this plant is native to cool regions in the temperate zoon and grows wild in Europe, North America and northern Asia. Another source of confusion regarding the Calla Lilies is that they actually do not belong to the family of the lilies. 

The Calla Lilies are all rhizomatous plants that can reach a height of 1-2.5 meters. The leaves will grow up to 45 centimetres. The name Calla is derived from the Greek language and means ‘beautiful’ and this is a very appropriate name since the Calla Lilies are appreciated world wide for their exquisite beauty. In regions too cold for these flowers, they are cultivated indoors in homes and greenhouses. When you plant your Calla Lily, it is important that the soil is free from salt since Calla Lilies are very sensitive to salt. As long as you provide your Calla Lily with appropriate soil, plenty of water and lot of sunlight it is actually a though and durable plant that grows fast. Use a nutritious soil that drains easily. Place your Calla Lily in direct sunlight or light shade. Calla Lilies will do best when the temperatures are kept over 70 degrees F. 

An outdoor living Calla Lily will usually require no fertilization as long as it has been planted in rich soil. Indoor Calla Lilies, or outdoor Calla Lilies that are planted in pots, should be given liquid plant food regularly. You can either mix a very weak plant food solution and use every time you water your Calla Lily, or mix a little stronger – but still quite mild – solution and feed your plant every three weeks.

When the blossoming period is over, you should allow the foliage of the plant to mature. Remove the flowers as the start to fade and wither. Slowly decrease the amount of water until the leaves have turned black. The tubers need at least 3 months to rest before they can bloom again. Since the Calla Lily grows fast it will eventually require repotting, and this is the ideal time to do so.