100% Certified Organic & Demeter Certified Bio-Dynamic Seed
Grown, harvested, dried and packed on Transition Farm
NOTE - WA Customers: Transition Farm Tomato, Capsicum and Chilli Seeds have been cleared for importation into Western Australia.
If ordering from Western Australia, our next batch shipment date is 6 January 2025. For more options, check the POSTAGE page.
Basil 'Genovese'
Basil 'Genovese'
Ocimum basilicum
RETURNING IMPROVED IN 2025
classic italian variety
improved cold tolerance
vigorous regrowth
Classic Italian variety with authentic flavor and appearance - the largest leaves average 8cm with lightly serrated edges. We have been refining this heirloom selecting for uniformity in leaf shape and plant habit (favoring the more compact, robust plants) over the past 3 years. We have also selected for improved cold tolerance allowing us to grow in the open field earlier in our season.
These improvements will be appreciated by southern market growers and home gardeners who can experience sudden late Spring temperature drops. This is not a frost tolerant variety - basil despises ice and will blacken if frost touches it. But through planting our seed crop consecutively earlier each season and marking and saving seed from those plants that thrived despite cold flashes, this season the whole planting showed resilience through cooler Spring temperatures.
Vigorous regrowth. Successful in our poly tunnel densely planted.
Certified Demeter Biodynamic and Certified Organic
SEED COUNT: 200 aprox.
Seed Raising, Growing and Harvest Information
| Plant Type | Site | Spacing | Height | Sowing Depth |
Days to Germination |
Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | Full Sun | 23-30cm apart in rows 25cm apart |
50-60cm | 6mm | 5-10 days @ 18-21°C |
60 days |
DIRECT SEED - Plant seeds 6mm deep, 2-3 seeds per inch, in rows 45cm apart. Firm the soil over the seeds. Thinning is not necessary, but a final spacing of 16-20cm apart produces healthy, full plants.
TRANSPLANT - Sow indoors 6 weeks prior to setting out (after last frost). Plant 6mm deep and keep at 21°C for best germination. Transplant to the field when seedlings have 3-4 sets of leaves, spacing at 10-20cm apart in rows 45cm apart.
NOTE – Basil despises cold weather and turns black at the touch of frost. Pinch the tops out of the plants above a branching node when they are 16cm high to encourage side shoots.
HARVEST - Begin light harvesting after plants have become established. It is best done in the early morning when the temperature is cooler and the leaves are less likely to wilt. A full harvest should be completed just before the plants start to flower. Cut the entire plant 10-15cm above the ground to promote a second growth. Leaves are easily bruised when picking, so handle carefully. Do not store at a temperature less than 10°C.
