Common basil pests are aphids, Japanese beetles and slugs. Knock off aphids with a spray of water, hand pick off Japanese beetles and drop into soapy water. For slugs, put out small containers of beer to attract them to their "fatal beer swim". Basils are also susceptible to fungal leaf spot (caused by poor drainage, high humidity), fusarium wilt, and cucumber mosaic virus (transmitted by aphids). In garden, basil is a fine ornamental and has a long history as a companion plant; it's supposed to improve growth and flavor of tomatoes and help repel flying insects. Basil can be grown best in zones 4-10 and prefer warm soils and climate. Start seeds indoors six weeks before last frost date in a moist medium at 80 degrees F. Or start seeds outdoors after soil is warm. Plant in well-drained soil with a little compost tilled in or add a small amount of balanced organic fertilizer. Optimum soil ph is 5.5 - 7.5. Space plants 12-18 inches apart. You can snip fresh basil leaves into a pasta dish or salad and have your aromatherapy and eat it too!

Basil Lore Cultivated since antiquity, basil originated in India, where it was regarded as a sacred herb. The name comes from Greek basileus meaning 'king.' In India, Hindus believed that if a leaf of basil was buried with them, it would get them into heaven. Basil was also sacred to Gods Krishna, and Vishnu and is still found growing around temples. In Italy, basil was used as a signal for love; a pot of basil placed on balcony meant that a woman was ready for her suitor to arrive. In England, basil was used to ward off insects and evil spirits. Basil is a part of religious traditions around world, from Christianity to Hindu. Although there is no mention of basil in Bible (21), plant is said to have grown at site of Christ's crucifixion (21, 24) and is associated with St. Basil, whose feast day is celebrated in Greece on January 1 by having basil blessed at church (21, 45).

Holy basil, Ocimum tenuiflorum, is particularly sacred in Hindu tradition. It is thought to be manifestation of goddess, Tulasi, and to have grown from her ashes. There are several versions of legend, but according to a widely known one, Tulasi was tricked into betraying her husband when she was seduced by god Vishnu in guise of her husband. In her torment, Tulasi killed herself, and Vishnu declared that she would be "worshipped by women for her faithfulness" and would keep women from becoming widows (37). Thus, holy basil, which also goes by common name tulsi, an obvious reference to goddess, became a Hindu symbol of love, eternal life, purification and protection (21, 30, 37). In addition to basil's role in death of Tulasi in Hindu legend, basil has played a role in burial rituals and has been grown on graves in various countries. Love and Courtship Basil's love symbolism isn't limited to India. It has been considered an aphrodisiac by some, is associated with pagan love goddess, Erzuli (20, 56 in 75), and is used in love spells (20). In Italy, where sweet basil is called "kiss me Nicholas," "bacia-nicola," it is thought to attract husbands to wives (21), and a pot of basil on a windowsill is meant to signal a lover (75). In Moldavian folklore, if a man accepts a sprig of basil from a woman, he will fall in love with her (21). As is typical for its folklore, while being linked to love and attraction, basil has also conversely been associated with chastity. In Sicilian folklore, basil is associated with both love and death when basil sprouts from head of [L]isabetta of Messina's slain lover (21).

Protection and Luck Basil is considered a good luck charm in some folklore. It is reportedly used in exorcisms, for protection and to attract wealth (20, 26, 75).

Window ledge plants would be more popular if it were not for fact that a considerable amount of work is involved in filling and emptying boxes. In addition there is watering problem, drainage water dripping on to heads of people in streets is liable to cause some annoyance. By taking proper precautions in constructing containers and setting them in position, most of these difficulties can be overcome.

Suitable Window Ledge Plants for a Spring Display

Some of most popular plants for spring are as follows: Arabis albida (double variety)

The procumbent stems of this plant are clothed with grey hairy leaves and bear spikes of double, white flowers.

Aubrietia

It is more compact in growth than Arabis and forms a close carpet of blue, pink or purple flowers.

Bellis perennis flore pleno (Dwarf Double Daisies)

These dainty, free-flowering plants are ideal for window-boxes. There are red, pink and white varieties.

Myosotis (Forget-me-not)

This popular spring-flowering plant is obtainable in several shades of blue and forms an ideal carpeting plant for many types of bulbs.

Primula (Polyanthus)