Checkerboard how-to library. Cool garden to table.

Includes index

Why grow your own food? -- All about basil -- Let's get growing -- Sow your seeds! -- Stages of growth -- Harvesting basil -- Basil Q & A -- Cool ingredients -- Kitchen tools -- Cooking terms -- Big-time basil parmesan dip -- Perfect pizza margherita -- Tempting tomato basil soup -- Tasty Thai noodles & basil -- Grilled cheese & pesto sammy -- Beauteous basil-lemon cake -- Wrap it up! -- Glossary -- Web sites -- Index

Examines growing basil at home, including the growth process, its uses once ripe, and recipes for homegrown basil dishes