Compact Large Green Basil - Ocimum basilicum

The 'Nufar F1' Grand Green Basil is a hybrid variety of Grand Green Basil, tolerant to fusarium and with good resistance to seed production. Its broad leaves will flavour your salads and marinade or be used to make pesto. Basil is an annual aromatic plant that needs warmth to grow. Depending on the climate, it can be grown in pots or the ground. The plug plants of this variety are produced organically. Planting is done from April to Jun after the last frost.

Apart from a few perennial varieties, Basil is a herbaceous annual plant native to India, which reaches a height of 30 to 50 cm (12 to 20in), depending on the variety. It has upright, branched stems with a square cross-section like most Lamiaceae. The oval and usually green leaves are very aromatic and are commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine, especially Italian. There are many varieties, some of which have foliage with notes of lemon, cinnamon, licorice, thyme, etc. Some varieties have purple foliage.

Basil is a tender plant that needs temperatures above 15°C (59°F) to grow. Depending on the climate, it can be grown in pots or the ground, preferring sunny and sheltered locations. Fun fact: Basil repels mosquitoes and carrot flies!

In terms of cooking, Basil leaves go perfectly with tomato salad and pasta dishes and are used to make pesto.

Harvesting: It is done as needed, preferably in the morning.

Storage: Ideally, fresh leaves should be consumed quickly to enjoy their flavour fully. You can add them to a bottle of olive oil to flavour your dressings. Basil leaves can be frozen or dried so that they can be stored for longer, but they will lose some of their aroma.

Gardener's tip: To reduce watering, we recommend mulching the soil with thin successive layers of grass clippings, if possible, mixed with dead leaves. This protection helps keep the soil moist and also reduces weed growth.