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Activities for Growing Classrooms

History

Research and discover basil's lore, and its medicinal, culinary, craft, and religious uses in different cultures and eras (ancient Greece, the Middle Ages, or colonial America for instance). Do the same with other garden herbs. Create an herb garden representing one of these eras.
After researching basil's history, test some of its folklore—that it keeps flies out of the house, for instance.
Does stomping on basil seeds make them more likely to germinate? Do an experiment to find out, then infer why that might have been a widely held belief.
Research and map out the route basil took from its regions of origin to the U.S.

Basil Botany

Compare basil plants with other members of the mint family to figure out what features distinguish members of this family (hint: examine the stems.)
Grow and compare several types of basil: sweet green basil, Thai, purple-leaved, and a scented type such as lemon or cinnamon basil. Consider doing blind smell and taste tests! (Your students might also compare the aromas of fresh and dried basil.)
Rub the leaves of basil to break microscopic oil glands and release their fragrance. Ask students to imagine why these plants might have evolved with these distinct aromas and flavors. (Botanists believe that they are largely a defense against being eaten by herbivores.)

Growing Investigations

Experiment with different growing conditions (types of fertilizers or soils, for example) to determine what makes basil thrive!
Investigate how pinching back basil leaves (stems) affects plant growth and the final volume of leaves produced. (Can students infer how and why flowering decreases leaf production?)
Raise basil plants in 4- to 6-inch containers for Mother's Day, then make booklets with care tips and recipes to include with the gifts.
Raise basil seedlings or container plants to sell at a school or community plant sale.
Set up an experiment to test the theory that basil helps repel tomato pests.
Experiment to determine which produces mature plants more quickly: basil sown outdoors from seed or transplanted as seedlings.

Culinary

Have students survey family members to discover how they use basil in cooking. Test some recipes, then create a class basil (or herb cookbook).
Discover how different Asian cultures use basil, then try some recipes.
Experiment to find a combination of herbs, including basil, that creates a tasty salad dressing.
See Creating Culinary Delights for sample recipes.