Way Off Basil

So we planted some basil several months ago. Rather, Eric did. From seed. He was very proud of himself when a healthy plant emerged from the ground. I named it Nigel. It was growing heartily, but we hadn't used any. So the other day I decided to pick some and take it home.

It didn't really smell like basil. In fact, it didn't really smell like anything. So I tasted it - a tiny piece from the end of one leaf. And it tasted so horrible I literally thought I was going to throw up for a few minutes after.

Now, granted, it doesn't take much to make me throw up. But I thought that was odd.

Today, I was in the garden, sweating away. A guy came over and asked if I wanted any of his herbs - mint, fennel, etc. I said no thanks, but offered him some cilantro or mint. I said, there's also some basil, but it tastes really bad. He said sometimes basil tastes funny if it flowers, and I told him it had flowered a bit. So he came around to look at it. As he walked around the path, I crouched down - and noticed a weird pod-like thing on it.

Turns out it's not basil. It's ground cherry! A little fruit somewhere between a tomato and a tomatillo grows in each pod. And it's edible. But not the leaves!



So long, Nigel.

Meanwhile, the other volunteer plant - the little tomato - has little tomatoes. Very cute.



I was finally inspired by that, and the high cost of tomatoes, to buy two tomato plants - one Big Boy, and one Brandywine. Do all tomato varieties sound like stripper names?



The cucumber plant from seed has an almost-grown cucumber.



And look how big that first muskmelon is getting!



Happy 4th of July.