Basil 'Dark Opal'

Pinch terminal shoots to encourage branching.
Harvest leaves before flowering occurs, or they will be bitter.

Dark Opal likes a position of full sun and remember to water moderately. Keep in mind when planting that Dark Opal is thought of as half hardy, so although it can survive a small mild cold snap, it is wise to ensure that this plant is protected from frost damage. Planting Dark Opal in loamy, sandy and silty soil with a ph of between 6.0 and 7.5 is ideal for as it does best in weakly acidic soil to weakly alkaline soil.

Cover with finely sieved compost.

Sow 0.12 inches (0.3 cm) deep with a guideline distance of 0.5 inches (1.27 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 10°C / 50°F to ensure good germination.

By our calculations, you should look at sowing Dark Opal about 20 days before your last frost date.

Plant out when frost risk has passed.

As Dark Opal is half hardy, ensure temperatures are mild enough to plant out - wait until after your last frost date to be on the safe side.

By our calculations, you should look at planting out Dark Opal about 21 days after your last frost date.

This variety tends to be ready for harvesting by mid summer.

The word basil means “king” in Greek – it is believed to have grown above the spot where St. Constantine and Helen discovered the Holy Cross.

Jewish folklore says that basil adds strength while fasting.

Dark Opal Purple