Description

Basil Genovese (Ocimum basilicum) is a classic sweet basil variety, prized for its aromatic, glossy green leaves and distinctive clove-like flavour. Originally from Italy, this heirloom cultivar is the gold standard for authentic pesto and pairs beautifully with tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil in a variety of Mediterranean dishes. Known for its large, cupped leaves and vigorous growth, Basil Genovese can reach 30-35 cm in height, forming a compact yet bushy plant ideal for harvesting throughout the season.

In South African gardens, Basil Genovese thrives in the warm spring and summer months, requiring full sun (6–8 hours daily) and well-draining, fertile soil enriched with compost. It is best suited to garden beds, raised beds, and containers placed in sheltered areas protected from strong winds and cold snaps. While not frost-hardy, it can be grown year-round in warmer coastal regions or indoors near sunny windows.

Basil Genovese is known for its fast growth, with leaves ready to harvest in as little as 30–45 days from sowing. Regular pinching of growing tips encourages denser growth and increased leaf production. 

This beloved variety is essential in culinary gardens, offering flavour, fragrance, and a host of companion planting benefits, making it a must-have for gardeners across all South African provinces.

Benefits

Easy to Grow & Maintain

• Grows well in containers, raised beds, or directly in the ground.
• Responds well to frequent harvesting, which promotes bushier growth.
• Heat-loving and prolific throughout the growing season.
  

Insect Repellant & Pollinator Benefits

• Repels aphids, thrips, whiteflies, and mosquitoes due to its intense aroma.
• Attracts bees and other pollinators when flowering, supporting biodiversity in vegetable gardens.
  

Culinary & Medicinal Uses

• Essential in Italian dishes, pesto, Caprese salads, sauces, and herbal teas.
  
• Used in traditional medicine to ease digestion, reduce inflammation, and calm nerves.
• Leaves can be used fresh or dried and infused in oil or vinegar.

Nutritional Benefits

• Rich in vitamin K (bone and blood health), vitamin A, and vitamin C.
• Contains powerful antioxidants and antibacterial compounds, such as eugenol and flavonoids.
• Natural detoxifier and supports liver health and immune function.

 

How To Use

Basil Genovese flourishes under the following conditions:

• Season: Spring & Summer
• Temperature: 20-30°C
• Germinate: 7-14 days
• Depth: 3 mm
• Spacing: 20x20 cm
• Harvest: 60-90 days (Early as 30-45 days)
• Height: 30-35 cm
• Flowering Season: Late summer (pinch to delay flowering)
• Exposure: Full sun (6-8 hours daily)

Ideal Growing Environment

• Prefers a well drained substrate with amendments or pre-made soil containing all the necessary base additives. pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
• Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; morning watering recommended.
• Use organic liquid fertiliser every 3–4 weeks, or compost-enriched soil.
• Prefers moderate humidity (50–70%). Avoid overhead watering to reduce disease risk.
• Basil Genovese will grow faster if it is regularly harvested.
• Mulch Basil Genovese plants to retain moisture.
• Suitable for all non-frost South African regions. Not frost-hardy – treat as an annual or grow in pots for indoor overwintering.
• Benefits from being planted alongside tomatoes, capsicums, lettuce, asparagus and marigolds.
• Intercropping: Pair with tomatoes, capsicums, broccoli, or strawberries to deter pests.
• Crop Rotation: Use as companions or rotate after heavy feeders. Perennials (rosemary, thyme, lavender) stay in place longer.
• Soil Rejuvenation: Enhance soil microbes; use as borders between cycles.
• Avoid planting with rue, sage, and cucumbers – can inhibit growth.

 

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