In a scandal involving the client of fruit importers Jon Nix et al, the United States Supreme Court (the top court in the USA) met in 1893 to pass judgment on the unlawful impersonation perpetrated by none other than that big red beauty, the tomato.

Photo courtesy of The National Garden Bureau

Fast and Numerous

Tomatoes big enough to slice take months to mature. If you’re in a hurry, grow cherry tomatoes instead. From seed to harvest, some varieties need only 65 days. It’s amazing to see plants that young bearing clusters of flowers and fruits. Satisfying too.

More Squash per Squash

Way back, a winter squash was a collection of seeds surrounded by thin flesh protected by a thick, waxy skin. Plant breeders changed all that, mainly by aiming for more flesh. Butternut squashes are one result.

Green Power!! In the cabbage family, kale takes first place for nutrition. Like its distant parent, it's all leaves and all green, even a deep green approaching purple and black in some varieties. And the leaves are think and chewy with stored green power. Raw kale is even a bit bitter, maybe a promise of potency (the leaves sweeten with cold days in Autumn and early winter).

We're kicking off a "Plant of the day" series in which we will feature a plant from the database. For each featured plant, click the link to view general information, care instructions, tips, gardens with that plant, videos, and more!

First up, "Ocimum basilicum" - a.k.a. Basil!

Basil is a willing plant. It grows fast in full sun, if it has steady watering, and it regrows fast after you pinch off the leaves you need for dinner.