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Sweet Basil (Ocimum Basilicum) is a popular and easy-to-grow annual that develops extra large, aromatic leaves with a spicy, clove-like flavor. This culinary herb is typically used in Italian dishes. Genovese Basil is ideal for creating large batches of classic pesto.
Growing basil can be a versatile addition to the herb garden indoors or outdoors.
May be grown indoors or outside but must have plenty of light. If growing outdoors, start seed indoors and transplant outside after all danger of frost is passed. Begin taking small harvests when the plant has 6 to 8 pairs of leaves. Harvest early and pinch off flower buds to encourage growth and extend harvest. Succession plantings may be necessary to have fresh basil all growing season.
Genovese Basil Seeds Growing Details | |
---|---|
Botanical Name | Ocimum Basilicum |
Plant Spacing | 15” |
Planting Depth | 1/4“ |
Spread | 10-16” |
Height | 24-30” |
Germination Temp | 70-80 °F |
Light Required | Full Sun |
Life Cycle | Annual |
Days to Germination | 5-10 Days |
Days to Maturity | 60-90 Days |
Planting Zone | 10-12 |
Yield | High |
Growth Rate | Fast |
Growing Season | Spring - Summer |
Harvest Season | Summer |
Genovese basil is of the sweet basil variety. The Genovese variety has a more pronounced, bold taste compared to the subtle taste of its counterparts. Along with a more aromatic flavor, the leaves of Genovese basil are identified by being slightly larger and flatter.
Genovese basil is a versatile herb with many uses. It is commonly used in Italian, Greek or Asian dishes. This basil is great for pesto, salad, pasta, soup, or pizza. It can be used both fresh or dried.
Yes, after basil flowers, or bolts, the plant is still edible. The flavor, however, becomes more bitter.
Bolting can happen for many reasons, but most commonly from too much heat or sun exposure. When this occurs, the plant focuses its energy towards flowering and will not produce more leaves causing the change in flavor.
The leaves are still completely edible as well as the flowers it produces.
To harvest and save your basil seeds, allow the plant to grow and go to seed. Let the white flowers dry and turn brown. Remove the dried flower stalks and open the seed pods where you’ll find the small black seeds. Store the seeds in a dry, cool location to save for another season.
This Genovese Basil is phenomenal 💚 I began growing this Basil in a small area in my apartment during this year's unusually cold and rainy winter months in Los Angeles.
I purchased a good-quality grow light bulb and pampered the seedlings in rockwool.
Once they grew stronger, I transferred them to small net pots to experiment with the soil-free Kratky-method. The seedlings loved it and soon grew roots strong enough to be transferred into their current environment - orchid pots filled with clay pellets (Leca), a semi-hydroponic method I've been using for all my house plants for more than 35 years.
And my beautiful Basil plants continue to thrive! 🌱🌿
Their big leaves (some measuring more than 4x3 inches!) have amazed everyone who's seen them. And they are so delicious too 😊 Thank you, Sow Right Seeds, for offering such great-quality plant seeds 💚