Spicy Globe Basil Seeds
Spicy globe basil is appropriately named as it features a pungent flavour and rotund shape. This particular variety of basil is attractive as an ornamental, yet works well in many culinary applications. It grows well in containers and can be kept indoors for convenient clipping.
Spicy globe basil does best in containers, window boxes or cultivated as a border, due to growing to only 30 cm tall. However, your little tuft of basil will produce impressive amounts of aromatic foliage. In fact, the entire plant is edible. The stems are supple, the small leaves offer a potent basil flavour and even the flowers are tasty and sweet.
If you’re a basil lover, but prefer a piquant punch from your herbs, then spicy globe basil is the variety for you!
- Latin Name: Ocimum basilicum
- Life Cycle: Annual
- Days to Maturity: 60
- Planting Depth: 1 cm
- Plant Spacing: 30 cm
- Growth Habit: 15-30 cm tall
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS
Basil may be the most sought-after herb of the summer season. Its iconic, pungent aroma is the perfect companion to fresh tomatoes and the broad green leaves are the essential ingredient needed to whip up a delectable batch of pesto.
Seeds can be started indoors six weeks before the last frost. Pamper your seeds with moist conditions and a heat mat if possible. Basil will not thrive without consistent warmth. Plant seeds in a flat 1 cm deep. When true leaves appear, separate seedlings into individual pots.
Transplant after the danger of frost has passed and wait until the soil reaches around 20 degrees. Prepare a fertile bed under full or partial sun and mulch around the base of the plants to retain moisture. Be sure to water abundantly during drought conditions.
When plants have 6 leaves, prune back to the second set of leaves. The plant will become bushier and produce more of its aromatic foliage. As flowers appear, cut them off in order to focus energy into more leaf production. Basil will grow and produce well with little to no fertilizer throughout the season.
Leaves will be most tender and flavourful when harvested in the morning. Pick often to encourage growth and maximize yield. Freezing the leaves is the best way to preserve the fresh basil flavour. Drying is also an effective way to store basil, though this method sacrifices some of the potent flavour. Another way to keep basil and enjoy its wonderful aroma is to cut the leaves or flowers at the stem and place them into water as you would with flowers.
QUICK FACTS
- Basil is native to the tropical regions of central Africa and Southeast Asia and was brought to Europe by traders during the medieval ages, where it became especially popular in Mediterranean cuisine.
- Regularly pinching and pruning basil plants encourages healthier and bushier growth and prevents the plants from getting too tall or leggy.
- Basil seeds will remain viable for 5 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.
OUR SEED GUARANTEE
You know that a lush, fruitful garden needs good soil, frequent watering, and sunlight to grow, but it’s the seeds that really make the harvest.
Picked and bagged for 2024 the vast majority of our seeds have germination rates of over 85%. The seeds are all-natural, non-GMO, non-hybrid, untreated, and open-pollinated for seed saving.
We have put a lot of thoughts into the design and packaging of our seed packets. Our seeds are all carefully packed in food grade kraft paper/aluminium zipper lock bags, and then are shipped in eco-friendly padded mailers.
We heat-seal each of our seed packet for even more protection from moisture, odour and light, allowing you to store your seeds for up to 3x longer than paper or plastic. Plant them all, germinate some indoors, save some for next season - it’s up to you!