Basil ‘Italian Large Leaf’

Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum Lifecycle: Annual Heritage: Italy, pre 1900's ‘Italian Large Leaf’ Basil boasts giant shiny Genovese type leaves with a sweetly fragrant aroma. This classic Basil is considered the best Basil for pesto. Rich in flavour, it can be used fresh or dried. High yeilding and aromatic, it makes a great choice for any garden. You only need a few leaves to add the distinctly yum Basil flavour to your dish. A popular ingredient in Italian cuisine, it was introduced from Italy to Europe and America in the late 1700's. Quick and easy to grow, it can be grown in containers including indoors on a sunny windowsill, or in your garden beds with your other plants. You can start harvesting early and pick as needed. It can successfully be sown and grown year round indoors. SOWING: Spring – Early Autumn Sow Direct, or Transplant Basil is best sown in spring through early autumn. Seeds should be sown in trays for transplanting, or can be sown directly in place after the last spring frosts approx. 15cm – 20cm apart, when soil temperatures are between 18°c – 25°c. 18°c - 25°c 7 - 14 days Transplant seedlings, or thin directly sown seeds, once plants have several true leaves to a final spacing of approx. 15cm – 20cm apart. You can eat or re-transplant any thinnings. 15cm - 20cm 60 - 90 days Tender TIPS: Harvesting regularly will encourage regrowth. In summer you can remove up to 2/3 of the plant thus leaving enough for regeneration, while providing you with an abundance of leaves and extending the growing period. Basil will let you know when it needs watering by starting to wilt. Over watering can dilute its flavour, while stressing the plant increases its production of essential oils and enhances its flavour. Taking off the plant's tips once 15cm+ tall will encourage more branching and regrowth, and prevent flowering. Eat immediately upon picking for best flavour. You can dry or freeze any excess leaves for later use. Some gardeners enjoy freezing harvested leaves rather than drying it, to better preserve the flavours and colours. Basil is a tender herb that prefers daytime temperatures of 20°c – 30°c, and won’t thrive once night temperatures start to dip below 12°c. It will flourish best when positioned in a sheltered spot that avoids cold winds, as it doesn’t like being exposed to cold drafts. APPROX SEEDS PER PACKET: HOME GARDEN ($3.90) 500 seeds