The Case of the Stubborn Ocimum

The meteorological pundits were correct in their speculations and the mercury did indeed fall to uncomfortably chilly levels here on my corner of Katy.  26 degrees was the reading on my patio thermometer at 7:30 a.m.  It's currently hovering in the mid40s ... the sun has vanished after a brief appearance and skies are overcast, making it a good day to be inside.  

As I mentioned on December Bloom Day,  I've been loath to pull the sweet basil since it was still a major focus of attention for the bees.  But the longer it's lasted, the more I've tired of seeing it in that space: the Head Gardener plopped it down there in one of her fits of industry, despite my warnings that it would grow too big for that spot. [Interjection from the HG: may I respectfully suggest that She Who Must Be Obeyed is confused about who did the plopping and who did the warning?]  


When I mentioned that a hard freeze was predicted and that it might finally put paid to the Basil, I was subjected to numerous and lengthy remonstrations by some of my fellow garden bloggers (you know who you are*) regarding my attitude.  I was exhorted to cover the basil to protect it from the freeze and I did give some consideration to doing so.  Even though some bloggers would have it that I intentionally and purposefully, with malice aforethought, did leave said basil in an unguarded and vulnerable condition, or that it was a subconscious effort to harm the plant, the truth of the matter in the end is that I simply forgot. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.


*Leslie of Growing A Garden in Davis, Frances of Fairegarden, Barbara of Mr. McGregor's Daughter, Gail at Clay and Limestone Confess or suffer the tortures of the comfy chair!  And by the way, you'll notice that there's one branch of green basil still on the plant, which I'm sure you'll tell me I should protect from tonight's freezing temperatures.  I hope I don't forget.