{"product_id":"sweet-basil-seeds-ocimum-basilicum","title":"Sweet Basil Seeds — Ocimum basilicum","description":"\u003ch2\u003eFresh Sweet Basil for Summer Cooking\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSweet basil (\u003cem\u003eOcimum basilicum\u003c\/em\u003e) brings tender green leaves and that unmistakable fresh summer fragrance to the kitchen garden. Pick a handful for homemade pesto, tear a few leaves over ripe tomatoes, or add them to pizza just before serving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrow this warm-season annual in a sunny, sheltered herb patch or a pot close to the kitchen, ready for regular picking through the warmer months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Gardeners Love It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🌿 Fragrant foliage — tender leaves for fresh summer cooking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🍅 Perfect with tomatoes — lovely in salads, sauces and sandwiches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🥣 Homemade pesto — grow your own leafy supply\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🪴 Suitable for pots — a handy choice for sunny patios and small gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e✂️ Responds to picking — pinch out growing tips to encourage branching\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e☀️ A summer annual — thrives with warmth and shelter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Tips for New Zealand\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSow under cover in spring with warmth, or directly outside in late spring and summer once frosts have passed and the soil has warmed. Basil is frost tender and dislikes cold nights, so avoid planting it out too early.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSow approximately 3–5 mm deep in seed-raising mix. Keep moist but not waterlogged. Germination usually takes around 5–14 days at approximately 20–25°C; cooler conditions can delay emergence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTransplant when seedlings are large enough to handle, harden off gently, and plant approximately 20–30 cm apart in fertile, free-draining soil. Choose a sunny, sheltered position. Use a pot with drainage holes if container growing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater regularly, especially in pots, and avoid letting plants dry out completely. Once plants have several pairs of true leaves, pinch the growing tip just above a pair of leaves to encourage bushier growth. Remove flower buds if your priority is continued leaf production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarvest small amounts regularly once plants are established, leaving plenty of foliage for regrowth. Use leaves fresh for the best fragrance, add towards the end of cooking, or freeze as pesto for later. Make a further sowing during warm weather for younger plants later in the season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat’s in the Packet\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach packet contains 100 Sweet Basil seeds (\u003cem\u003eOcimum basilicum)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e📄 Want to go even deeper? The \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chbotanics.co.nz\/products\/chbotanics-propagation-from-seeds-manual-professional-edition\"\u003eCHBotanics Propagation from Seeds Manual — Professional Edition\u003c\/a\u003e — a comprehensive digital PDF covering sowing times, germination, spacing, and much more across dozens of flower and vegetable species, is available as an instant download. 🌱😊\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chbotanics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46022766526533,"sku":null,"price":2.5,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0734\/2974\/5733\/files\/sweet-basil-on-a-bright-white-kitchen-bench.png?v=1792120781","url":"https:\/\/chbotanics.co.nz\/products\/sweet-basil-seeds-ocimum-basilicum","provider":"Chbotanics Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}