Makes the Best Pesto!
Sweet Basil Plant
Ocimum basilicum
Common Name: Genovese Basil
Type: Annual
Family: Lamiaceae
USDA Zones: 3–10
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time: Spring
Flowers: White
Fertilizer: Add compost at time of planting.
Mature size: 18"x 24" tall x 10"-14" spread
Resists: Deer
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Planting: Plant after danger of frost has passed. Select an area with sandy loam, which has good drainage where it will get at least 6 hours of direct sun. Space approx. 12” apart. This plant should be planted at the same depth it was growing in the container.
Also Excellent for Hydroponics.
Watering: Give about an inch of water per week. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Over watering can cause root rot and other problems.
To harvest and store: Harvest before the flowers appear for optimal flavor. Collect on a dry day, in the morning after the dew has dried, and hang in small bunches (to ensure proper drying) in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight for a week until thoroughly dry. Then remove the dried herbs from the stems, and store in an air tight container such as a glass jar, out of direct sunlight. Properly dried herbs should last between 1-3 years.