Basil

About This Plant...

Family: Labiatae

Genus and species: Ocimum basilicum

Plant type: annual

Description: Light green aromatic leaves, green-grey or purple tinged underside. White flowers in late summer.

Height and width: 12-24 inches (30-60cm) high; 12 inches (30cm) wide

Location and soil: sun or partial shade; rich, moist, well-drained soil; will grow indoors

Uses: fresh or dried leaves in soups, stews, and sauces; meat, fish, and egg recipes; salads and vegetables

Propagation methods: seeds, transplants, and cuttings

Indoor Sowing...

When to sow indoors: March at 16-18°C

Time needed to reach transplant size: 6-8 weeks

When to transplant to garden: Late May

Outdoor Sowing...

When to sow outdoors: May

Other Sowing Guidelines...

Approx. germination time: 5 days

Days to maturity: 85 days

Transplanting Guidelines...

Spacing between plants: 12 inches (30cm)

Spacing between rows: 18 inches (45cm)

Growing On...

Diseases: botrytis (bush basil)

Harvest: use fresh leaves at any time; for drying, pick in early Autumn before leaves turn yellow by cutting leaf stalks just before the plant flowers, and spread them on a wire mesh in a shady place and store in an airtight jar

Growing tips: pinch the centers as plants grow to encourage bushiness

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