CIAKids : Grow your own Basil

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	The Italian Kitchen uses many herbs to add flavor to food. Basil is a popular herb that is used in prepare Italian food. Basil has leaves that are pointed and green. There are many different kinds of Basil. You can grow large—or small leaf Basil— you can even grow PURPLE Basil

What you will need:	Potting Soil Mix
	1 - pkg of Basil Seeds
	A medium sized Plastic container with drainage holes
	An old spoon
How to plant your seeds:	1 Fill your container with potting soil 2. Spread the seeds on top of the potting soil. 3. Using your spoon sprinkle the seeds with about 1/4" of potting soil 4. Water your seeds thoroughly. 5. Place you pot in a warm area while waiting for your seeds to sprout. Your seeds should sprout in 14-21 days. Water when the soil feels dry to the touch. 6. Once your seeds sprout, place you planter in a sunny area. Basil needs a nice sunny area to grow strong and healthy. Trim your Basil often so it does not flower and will grow more leaves.

Tip: Wrapping the herbs in a damp paper towel and placing them in a ziplock bag extends their shelf life by a week. It keeps them fresh and perky. Simply wrapping them in the damp towels they wilt very fast. The refrigerator robs the towels of the moisture and they dry out. (Tip from CIA Instructor Elizabeth Briggs)

Cooking with Fresh Herbs

Mince fresh herbs as close to cooking time as possible. This stops the flavor from cooking out.