Basil 'Bush'

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

A full sun position will ensure your plant thrives and remember to water moderately. Keep in mind when planting that Bush is thought of as half hardy, so it will need protecting in periods of cold weather. Planting Bush 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.

Aim to sow 0.12 inches (0.3 cm) deep and try to ensure a gap of at least 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 Bush about 20 days before your last frost date.

Plant out when frost risk has passed.

As Bush 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 Bush 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.