Basil 'Sweet Genovese' Herb Seeds

Overview

Basil 'Sweet Genovese' (Ocimum basilicum) is the best variety of basil for italian pesto and tastes fantastic with fresh tomatoes (home grown of course), slices of mozzarella and a drizzle of virgin oil - a perfect side salad for a balmy summer's day BBQ. Basil is the basis for many a classic Italian dish and they would be lacking in taste without it.

Basil & tomatoes are a perfect match for eating but if you grow them next to each other they make a perfect couple as the smell of the basil keeps aphids away from the tomatoes - a natural companion plant. I grow Tomato 'Tumbling Tom Red' with Basil in a hanging basket - or use a container too and my baskets are usually pest free. The leaves are great for baby leaf salads.

This herb is easy to grow and makes a good container plant for either inside or outside or in the veg plot. The leaves are aromatic and oval shaped with a pointed end, they are slightly curved inwards concave. It grows to 45cm tall and has a spread of 30cm.

The taste of fresh basil far out weighs that of shop bought as after 3-5 days basil begins to deterioate, the leaves become floppy and more importantly basil loses it's flavour. It is at it's best when freshly picked and used that day. It is best to crush the leaves to release the aroma.

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Seed qty (approx)	1000
Sowing months	February, March, April, May, June
Site conditions	Sunny, sheltered but well drained soil. Does not like too much of the mid day sun. Also indoors on a windowsill or a greenhouse.
How to sow	Sow seed indoors in trays of seed compost, 6mm deep and cover with finely sieved compost or vermiculite. Cover & keep at a temperature of between 18-20°C. Keep watered and germination will take place in about 5-10 days. When the seeds have germinated, water sparingly to prevent 'damping off.' Carefully transplant each seedling to a small pot and grow on for 4 weeks. Either transplant into larger pot (about 15cm) or into garden, spacing plants every 25cm apart, in rows 25cm apart. Only plant in garden when all threat of frost has passed - late May to early June. Alternatively sow direct in soil when night time temperatures are above 13°C, June time, but the greenhouse method is more successful.
Care	Don't overwater basil but keep moist and don't water foliage. Water in the morning as evening watering can lead to 'damping off'. Pinch out growing tip 2 weeks after final transplant to encourage bushy basil plants.
Harvest	Six to eight weeks from sowing - May to October. Successional planting will produce good basil through most of the year, and each basil plant can sustain about 8 cuttings a season. Cut before flowering as this takes away from the taste.
Information	N/A

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