This Italian import has been carefully bred for clean, bright basil flavor, an elegant compact shape and good disease resistance. European greengrocers offer pots of dense, leafy Profumo di Genova at the front of their market stalls so cooking gardeners can take it home and and enjoy a regular supply of its spicy fragrant leaves.

• Days to Maturity -

• Height - 12-8"

• Spacing - 8"

• Exposure - Sun

• Zone - Annual

Remarks - Moderately rich, moist soil. Basil is not drought tolerant and can be damaged by heat stress. Regular moisture throughout the growing season helps to ensure a good crop.  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 4-6" above the ground to promote a second growth. Leaves are easily bruised when picking, so handle carefully.

Ocimum basilicum