Basil, Red Seeds

Plant information: 

Ocimum basilicum

Sow: March to June 
Harvest: June to October  
Height: 30cm+

Red/purple leaved variety with a strong flavor that works exceptionally well with fish; excellent for use as a micro herb.

Sowing Instructions:

Basil can be started undercover from mid-March. Start in Jiffy 7C pellets (available here) or seed trays (available here), then pot on into 7cm pots, and again into 9cm before planting out in late spring/early summer. The seeds can be sown directly from the middle of May.

Basil seeds need a bit of warmth to germinate. The heat of a sunny windowsill should be enough. 

Growing instructions 

Allow at least 50cm between plants if planting in open ground; this variety also does well in a pot. Pinch tips out to encourage the plants to become bushier. Feed once a month with a balanced feed to keep plants healthy. 

Notes:

Basil plants are heavily prone to greenfly infestations regularly misting and increasing the humidity can help.