Basil is one of those herbs where fresh is the best, and the dried version is tasteless by comparison. Fortunately, it's an easy summer annual to grow and does really well in pots. If you intend to make pesto, plan on growing several plants, as even the smallest recipes call for a fair amount of the leaves. Make sure to harvest everything before the first fall frost, or bring your pots indoors to extend the growing time. Tip: pesto freezes amazingly well, and even basil leaves pureed with olive oil (no other seasonings) freeze well in ice cube trays or small containers.