Steve’s Garden: How basil can save your garden from pests

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The recent rain is really helping the plants in Steve's Garden flourish.

The leafy plants like basil are doing especially well, and looking super green after the latest rain. Basil serves several uses in gardens like Steve's.

Not only is the plant a great herb, but it also helps attract pests away from other plants.

"A lot of people will actually plant basil as a host plant and let the aphids and spider mites go to the basil, and then once it's full, they'll pull out basil one at a time, throw it away, and just plant more," Mike Spencer from Spencer's Produce, Lawn and Garden Center said.

KRDO13's basil won't go to waste! Steve has plans to turn this crop into some yummy pesto. He'll take the strongest leaves and leave some of the new growth. He's also going to nip the blooms at the top of the plants so they can keep them healthy and have more energy.

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