Basil "Sweet" Seeds | Mr Fothergill's
Our ocimum basilicum Basil "Sweet" seeds produce the best-known basil herb that's used in a huge range of Mediterranean dishes. This popular basil plant is a half-hardy annual with sweet leaves that are larger than than bush basil. This classic herb is widely used in the kitchen and tastes particularly good with tomato. It can be grown in pots on the patio or windowsill, which is perfect for those without a garden.
Variety Information
No. Seeds Per Pack | 650 |
Sow Indoors | January - December |
Sow Outdoors | January - December |
Location | Full Sun |
Harvest Time | January - December |
Hardiness | Half-Hardy Annual |
Features
Great Taste
Versatile
Easy To Grow Buying Guide Planting Requirements Planting Guide Planting Essentials
Basil is easy to grow. Below we address some common queries:
- Hardiness: this species is half-hardy and must be kept indoors during frost.
- Planting In Pots: well-suited to growing in containers.
- Position: sow indoors, ideally on a light windowsill, with plenty of access to sunlight.
- Soil Types: sow in warm, well-drained, compost-filled soil for best results.
Germination Requirements: Sow indoors, water well, and place in a warm position.
Planting Distance (Seed Tray): Sow 0.5cm (1/4in) deep.
Planting Distance (Ground): Sow 0.5cm (1/4in deep) 20cm (8in) apart.
Soil Preparation: Remove any stones from the soil and dig in plenty of organic matter.
Thinning: Wait till seedlings have two sets of leaves before thinning.
Pest Control: Deter slugs by making sure the soil is not too wet. Remove pests by using organic sprays, traps, or screen mesh.
Watering Requirements: Water regularly and consistently.
For a more detailed guide please read our blog below.
Click Here To Read More Seeds Jargon
- F1 Hybrids: hybrid seeds are produced from two specially selected varieties that are kept in isolation. As they are produced from only two plants, seeds are almost identical genetically.
- Open Pollinated: open pollinated plants aren't isolated from other varieties, so are more genetically diverse.
- Heirloom: heirloom seeds are historic, some going back to Victorian times, others more recent. Heirloom varieties can be good or bad, depending on how careful the breeder is to maintain genetic similarity.
Hybrids vs Open Pollinated As hybrids are produced from two specially selected varieties, the quality is more consistent, with a higher germination rate and improved cropping. But, as they require time, resources and know-how to create, they come to the market at a higher cost. They are also genetically unstable, and so if you keep the seeds from the resultant crop, performance is usually poor. Open Pollinated seeds are highly diverse and have often been grown for successfully for decades. Seeds from the resultant crop are usually perform well.
Annual, Biennial and Perennial Annual plants complete their life cycle within a year, biennials in two years (usually only flowering in the second year) and perennials can live on indefinitely.
Hardy, Half-Hardy and Tender Hardy and half-hardy plants can survive a light frost, but the latter are best moved indoors during periods of bad weather. Tender plants must be kept indoors, until after the last frost.
We believe that anyone, regardless of ability can successfully grow their own plants at home, and do so in an eco-friendly and sustainable way.
Everyone should have the chance to experience the benefits that plants bring to our lives, and we have put a lot of effort into making sure that all of our products are easy to grow, even for beginners.
Sustainability is at the heart of our ethos and we have done everything we can to ensure that all of our products are as sustainable as possible, be it our plastic free, fully recyclable packaging, GM free seeds or ethically sourced compost.
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