Basil, Genovese

Planting Instructions You want to give basil room to grow so spacing every 9 - 12" is important. It prefers moist, fertile, and well drained soil.  Direct sow or start indoors 4 - 6 weeks before last frost. Basil will take 50 - 90 days until mature and will germinate in approximately 5 days. Plant the seed 1/2" deep two weeks after the last frost. Care When the plant is approximately 8" tall, pinch the stem back by about half and just slightly above a leaf axil. This will encourage the plant to branch out and grow more leaves giving you a bigger harvest. Continue to pinch the new stems in the same manner. Basil likes rich well-drained soil, it likes moisture but doesn't like to have wet feet. Basil is a great companion plant with other herbs and vegetables because it will help repel many pests. It's particularly effective with tomatoes.  Approx: 200 Seeds History Originally from Africa, Asia, and India basil is now one of the most popular herbs  and is cultivated all over the world.  With over 150 varieties Genovese is considered one of the best because it yields 7 - 8 cuttings and makes terrific pesto. Basil is a member of the mint family which are very aromatic and have square stems. Basil and the Groovy Lacewing! Basil not only repels pests but it's extremely attractive to predatory insects such as the lacewing. Lacewings are known to help control garden pests in a regenerative and organic way by reducing the use of pesticides which is great for gardeners, the ecosystem, and other beneficial insects. So besides being beautiful lacewings help with those darned bugs you don't want to see in your garden such as those pesky aphids.  And take a look at those wings! No wonder they call it a lacewing, you can see right through them like lace... and those groovy pink spots! This insect has it going on!  If you're able to buy lacewings from your local nursery be certain they are sourced from your geographic area so you don't introduce invasive species to the ecosystem!