Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum or Ocimum sanctum) also called tulsi. This basil with green to purple leaves (the hotter the summer, the deeper the purple) and purple stems that exudes a delicious, sweet, clove-like aroma. It contains high levels of the essential oil eugenol and it has been used in Ayurveda for a very long time. Native to India and it is widley cultivated in South East Asia. Also widely used in Thai cuisine.

Basil Holy grows to around 90cm tall and spreads to about 40cm. It has pretty purple stems and flowers but the leaves are 5cm long and green.

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 its flavour. It is at its best when freshly picked and used that day. It is best to crush the leaves to release the aroma.

Herb Basil Holy Seed Information

Seed Quantity:	Approx 1167 seeds per pack.
Site:	Sunny, sheltered but well drained soil. Does not like too much of the mid day sun. Also indoors on a windowsill or a greenhouse.
When to Sow:	Indoors: All year round Outdoors: February to June.
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 18-20C. 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 13C, June time but the greenhouse method is more successful.
Care:	Don't overwater basil but keep moist. 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.

When to Sow Herb Basil Holy Seeds

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