Generally speaking, the most polished, mass produced fruits and vegetables are chemically treated before and after harvest to give them photo quality finishes. If you buy organic fruits and vegetables, you already know that minor blemishes on produce are natural. 

While slightly damaged by Japanese beetles, this pollinator, a basil plant, will go on to produce plenty of healthy leaves. When leaf production starts to dwindle, let the plant flower for bees to enjoy next. Picking off visible pests like Japanese beetles by hand is the best way to keep your container plants and small gardens of basil healthy. 

Birds, spiders and other insects are natural predators of Japanese beetles but are dwindling in population for a number of reasons including exposure to pesticides and herbicides, according to many environmentalists. Eliminating the application of chemicals to residential lawns is a simple way to start rebalancing our local ecosystem. An all natural, organic lawn may not look perfect but it’s the first step to creating a healthier environment.

To learn more about growing and caring for basil plants, visit The Old Farmer’s Almanac.