Variety Info.: Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum Family: Laminaceae Native: Probably Africa, but in cultivation for so long that it cannot be verified. Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual Plant Dimensions: 24″ tall, 18″–24″ wide Variety Information: Large, dark reddish-purple glossy leaves with a mild, sweet flavor. Small lavender-blue flower spikes appear in late summer. Exposure: Full sun to part shade Attributes: Good for Containers Sowing Info.: When to Sow Outside: 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F, ideally 65°–85°F. Successive Sowings: We recommend 3 or 4 successive sowings every 3 weeks after initial sowing. When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting outside. Transplant when your nighttime temperatures are above 50°F. Days to Emerge: 5 – 10 Days Seed Depth: ¼” Seed Spacing: A group of 2 seeds every 12″ Row Spacing: 12″ Thinning: When 2″ tall, thin to 1 every 12″ Growing Info.: Harvesting: Basil flavor is best before the plant flowers. Harvest up to 1/3 of the plant at a time, leaving enough for the plant to be healthy and keep producing. Harvest prior to a frost; basil is very frost sensitive.
