Basil – Sweet Genovese

Basil Sweet Genovese Herb Seeds, the ‘Classic Italian’ are the best variety of basil for Italian pesto and tastes fantastic with fresh tomatoes (home grown of course), slices of mozzarella & a drizzle of virgin oil -a perfect side salad for a balmy summer’s day BBQ.

Basil is the basis for many a classic Italian dish and they would be lacking in taste without it. Basil & tomatoes are a perfect match for eating but if you grow them next to each other they make a perfect couple as the smell of the basil keeps aphids away from the tomatoes – a natural companion plant. I grow Tomato ‘Tumbling Tom Red’ with Basil in a hanging basket – or use a container too and my baskets are usually pest free. The leaves are great for baby leaf salads.

This herb is easy to grow and makes a good container plant for either inside or outside or in the veg plot. The leaves are aromatic and oval shaped with a pointed end, they are slightly curved inwards concave. It grows to 45cm tall and has a spread of 30cm.

The taste of fresh basil far out weighs that of shop bought as after 3-5 days basil begins to deteriorate, the leaves become floppy and more importantly basil loses it’s flavour. It is at it’s best when freshly picked and used that day. It is best to crush the leaves to release the aroma.