Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd
Basil Classic Italian
Basil Classic Italian
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Basil 'Classic Italian' Seeds (Genovese)
If you could only grow one herb, it would have to be this. 'Classic Italian' (Genovese) is the definitive culinary basil. It produces large, lush, spoon-shaped leaves with that intoxicating, sweet-peppery aroma that instantly makes you think of Italy.
This is the variety you need for tearing over fresh tomatoes and mozzarella, or blending into a vibrant green pesto. Unlike the small, hardy supermarket pots that give up after a week, growing your own from seed gives you robust, bushy plants that you can harvest from all summer long.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Sweet Basil is a Tender Annual.
It originates from tropical regions, so it absolutely adores heat and hates cold, wet feet. It grows rapidly in the warm summer months and has soft, tender leaves that bruise easily, releasing their oils.
The "Genovese" Standard: There are many types of basil (lemon, Thai, Greek), but Genovese is the giant among them, bred specifically for large leaves and a balanced sweet flavour without bitterness.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Crucial Tip: Basil seeds need light to germinate. Do not bury them deep!
Germination:
Sow indoors from March to May. Scatter seeds onto the surface of moist compost and cover with a very fine dusting of vermiculite. Keep warm (20-25°C) on a sunny windowsill. Germination takes 7-14 days.
Where to Sow:
Plant out only in June when nights are warm. It needs a sheltered, sunny spot or a greenhouse. It is arguably the best herb for growing on a kitchen windowsill year-round.
Care While Growing:
Watering: Water in the morning, at the base. Avoid wetting the leaves at night as basil is prone to mildew.
The "Pinch": When seedlings have 3 sets of leaves, pinch off the top tip. This forces the plant to bush out, giving you double the harvest.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Ocimum basilicum (Genovese) |
| Common Name | Sweet Basil / Italian Basil |
| Hardiness | H1c (Very Tender - needs heat) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 30cm - 45cm |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 20cm apart |
| Great for | 🍝 Pesto & Pasta 🍅 Tomato Companion 🏡 Indoor Pots 🥗 Salads |
| Seed Count | Approx. 500 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
Basil is the ultimate "Companion Plant" for the vegetable garden:
- 🍅 Tomatoes: The Culinary Couple. They go together on the plate and in the soil. Growing basil near tomatoes is said to improve the tomato flavour, and the strong scent of the basil confuses pests like whitefly.
- 🌼 Tagetes (French Marigold): The Bodyguard. Basil is prone to aphids. Planting marigolds nearby attracts hoverflies and ladybirds which eat the aphids, keeping your pesto leaves clean and organic.
📅 Sowing & Harvesting Calendar
Sow indoors Spring. Harvest Summer to Autumn.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||||
| Harvest | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ |
⚠️ The Pesto Secret
The best flavour is in the leaves before the plant flowers. Harvest regularly (pinch the tips) to prevent flower spikes forming. If it does flower, the leaves can become slightly bitter—though the white flowers themselves are edible!
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
This is a true kitchen staple. While tender, it is one of the most rewarding herbs to grow from seed, offering superior flavour and volume compared to shop-bought plants.
