Basil – Genovese

Probably one of the best-known basil varieties, genovese basil is the essential ingredient in pestos and pesto soups. This Italian heritage variety has dark green leaves of about 5 cm and is tender and tasty, but a little slower to bloom. A classic!

Growing tips

Germination conditions:

depth of sowing: 2.5 mm or on the surface (no covering of soil)

optimal temperature for germination: 18 to 22ºC

time for germination: 7 to 21 days

When to sow:

indoor sowing 4 to 6 weeks before the last date in your area OR

direct seeding after any risk of frost, when the soil is warm

Sowing technique: in pocket

Inside the same hole, sow 3 to 5 seeds spaced 1 to 2 cm apart; when the seeds have germinated and the seedlings have reached a height of 5 cm, keep all the plants if space is available or keep only the best plants.

for indoor seedlings: transplant into individual containers while waiting for transplanting in the garden OR

for direct seedlings: transplant to their final location in the garden

Transplanting outdoors (for seedlings started indoors):

When all risk of frost is removed

Distance in the garden:

between plants: 25 cm

between rows: 45 cm

Height of the plants: 45 to 60 cm

Soil: rich and well drained

Exposure: sunny

Days to harvest (from sowing): 65-70 days, but younger leaves can be harvested (after +/- 25 days). To stimulate the branching of the plant and delay the flowering, harvest the basil shoots by pinching the heads of the stems with your fingers.

QUICK STATS

Number of seeds: ±500

Difficulty: Easy

Type: Heirloom / Open pollinated

Lifecycle:Annual

Additional information

Weight            1 g

Difficulty         

Easy

Sowing          

Direct, Indoor

Lifecycle        

Annual

Root cellar     

No

Sowing season        

Spring, Summer