Basil Red Rubin - Mr. Fothergill's Seeds

Ocimum basilicum

• The purple leaves give a real 'lift' to salads, stir fries and pasta.
• Ideal decorative plant in pots
• Half Hardy Annual

Herbs are so easy – you don’t even need a garden!  Just a few in pots on the patio or windowsill will add that little extra to a dish.

Approx. 300 seeds

Sow and grow indoors for all year round crops. Sow 0.5cm (¼") deep, in small pots of compost. Water well and place in a warm position. A temperature of 15-20°C (60-68°F) is ideal. Seedlings usually appear in 7-14 days. Grow on in cooler, but not cold conditions.

For earlier outdoor crops, sow indoors March-May. Gradually accustom plants to outside conditions (avoid frosts), before planting out into warm, well-drained soil, 20cm (8") apart, during May-July. Alternatively, plants can be grown on a light windowsill.

Sow outdoors March-May for ease, where they are to crop, 0.5cm (¼") deep, directly into into finely-prepared, warm, well-drained soil, which has already been watered. Thin seedlings to 20cm (8") apart. For a continuous supply, make sowings at two to three week intervals. Harvest: Leaves are best picked immediately before use (outdoor crops from June).

Ideal for adding contrasting colour to salads. Can be grown in trays and cut at seedling size for an unusual garnish.