My friends, both new and old what an incredible journey this has been! Eight weeks of triumphs, setbacks, suspense, and serious plant pride… and it all comes down to this moment.
Our judges have tallied their votes, the criteria have been weighed, and now it’s time to officially crown the champion of The Battle of the Basils!
Congratulations to Gerard, the 2025 Battle of the Basils Winner!
Gerard’s basil refuses to quit! South Florida’s gentle winters have kept it lush and lively, letting him enjoy fresh basil straight through the season.
Coming into the competition with zero prior experience, Gerard may have looked like the underdog, but he proved that anyone can rise to the top with dedication, determination, and a little greenthumb magic. He didn’t just grow herbs… he grew glory!
A massive thank you to our final judges Megan, Pat, JD, and Andy for lending their time, and their unbiased expertise! Each plant (Basil, Sage, and Parsley) was evaluated on aesthetics (scored 1–10), total number of successful herbs grown, and overall plant health. Every point mattered, and the judges made sure the process was as fair and impartial as possible.
And what a finish it was! With a nail-biting score of 126/200, Gerard edged out the win, with Nick close behind at 121/200. Five points! That’s how tight this battle was!
A heartfelt thank you to both of our contestants for not only going the distance, but for lifting each other up the entire way. It’s been an unforgettable eight weeks full of learning, laughter, and leaves and we couldn’t have asked for a better showdown.
Be sure to check out some of our Harvest Recipes we created using some of our own grown herbs from the contest!
Here’s to next year’s Battle… and to the champions yet to come!
Woo Hoo! Way to go Florida boy!