Basil – Red

Description

Latin Name – Ocimum basilicum

Sowing Instructions – 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.

Hints and Tips – 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.

Number of Seeds – Approx 350