Basil Seed Packet 0.5 g
€1.60
In stock
Basil is an annual, bushy plant grown mainly in Europe and Asia. It originates from India or Iran and has been cultivated for over 5,000 years. It grows 30-130 cm tall, with green leaves and white flowers. Many types of basil are grown today, including lemon basil, blue basil, red basil, large-leaf basil, curly basil and liquorice basil. Each packet contains 0.5 g of basil seed – roughly 300-400 seeds!
The name basil comes from the Greek word basileus, meaning «king». In Greek tradition, legend says that basil grew on the spot where the Holy Cross had been lost, and its strong scent helped lead to its discovery!
Basil is widely used both as a herb and in cooking, and is also enjoyed as a fragrant herbal tea. Its essential oil is used in perfumery.
In cooking it is used dried or fresh – usually as a herb to flavour dishes, or as the base for sauces such as pesto or tomato and basil sauce.
Sow basil seeds in early spring; it flowers from June to October. It needs regular watering, feeding and plenty of sun. Pinch out the flowers to encourage more leafy growth.
It generally needs no special care, apart from protection from weeds and diseases such as grey mould and fusarium wilt. The seeds remain viable for a long time – around 4-5 years.
If basil is not grown in a pot, space rows 100 cm apart with 40 cm between plants in the row. It needs 20-25 °C to germinate and grow well. This is an open-pollinated variety, so you can save seeds from your plants and sow them the following season.
In stock
