Grow your own pesto: plants for a year of pesto
Freezes well in ice cube trays, so a summer of basil lasts into winter.
For a family of 4 making basil pesto 8 batches (about 1 cup each), grow:
| Crop | Amount | Plants | Bed sq ft | Yield assumption | Seeds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | 1 lb | 3 (2 to 5) | 3 | About 0.5 lb of leaves (8 packed cups) per plant over a summer of regular cutting. | Shop Seeds Now |
| Garlic | 3 oz | 2 (1 to 2) | 0.5 | 4 lb per 10 ft of row, about one bulb (0.15 lb) per clove planted. Plant in fall. | Shop Seeds Now |
| Total | 3.5 | ||||
Garden ingredients per recipe (about 1 cup)
- 2 cups packed leaves basil
- 2 cloves garlic
From the pantry
- 1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Blend basil, garlic, and nuts, stream in oil, stir in cheese. Freeze without cheese if storing.
Change household size or combine dishes in the Plate to Plot tool
Sources and assumptions
Amounts include 15 percent extra for culls, pests, and kitchen trim. Plant counts use the typical yield; the range uses the high and low yields. Bed space assumes intensive beds at recommended spacing. Yields vary with variety, weather, and soil.
- Kansas State University Research and Extension, MF315 Vegetable Garden Planting Guide (average crop per 10 feet of row)
- University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Planting Chart for the Home Vegetable Garden
- Clemson HGIC, How Much to Grow: Planning for Year-Round Garden Productivity
- ThriveThyme estimate from typical harvests (no single extension table lists this crop per plant)
- National Center for Home Food Preservation (USDA tested canning and pickling recipes)
Guides and tools
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