Sage Garden Herbs - Basil, Mammoth

Basil, Mammoth

CAD $2.75

Currently Available: Yes

Description: Enormous leaves loaded with Italian Sweet Basil flavour.

Latin Name: Ocimum basilicum
Alternative Names: Sweet basil

Main Uses: Culinary

Zone Hardiness: Annual
Exposure: Full Sun
Ht: 40 cm.
Flower Color: White
Flowering Time: Fall

Certified Organic: USDA Certified Organic

Germination Instructions: Germination: 5 - 7 days at 21° C.
Sowing: Indoors 4 - 6 weeks before last frost date. Sow 5 - 8 seeds per cell or plug. For best results, fertilize right from first watering with a kelp based fertilizer such as Sea Magic™. Outdoors in early June, once soil has warmed and there is no chance of frost. Direct seeding is an easy way to start healthy basil!
Planting depth: Surface. Lightly press into the planting medium.
Planting Out: Plant in well drained fertile soil (garden or container) once seedlings are established and risk of frost has passed.
Notes: Basil must be harvested by cutting stems at internode points, rather than plucking leaves, if it is to remain bushy and full.

Basil, Mammoth

CAD $2.75

Pruning: Start harvesting at internode points once 6 sets of true leaves have appeared. This encourages bushiness.

Growing in Containers: Well suited for containers 6

Fertilizing (Containers): Add 25% quality compost to potting mix; fertilize weekly with a higher nitrogen organic plant food such as Ocean Fish.

Watering (Containers): Water deeply when top inch of soil is dry. Monitor daily during hot weather months.

Growing in Mixed Planters: Exellent for mixed herb or veggie pots.

Fertilizing (Garden): Plant into a well drained garden soil, amended yearly with compost. No additional fertilizer required.

Watering (Garden): Water to establish (first two weeks). Once establlished, water weekly to maximize productivity.

Garden Companions: Basil and tomatoes are one of the all time garden companions: Gardener's wisdom suggests that the flavour and quality of the tomato fruits will be improved when basil is planted in close proximity - not to mention how well these two flavours pair in the kitchen! Basil is often inter-planted with other culinary herbs and vegetables, or in themed gardens such as a "pizza patch": oregano, basil, tomatoes and peppers. Don't be shy to plant basil among your ornamental plants as well - the fragrance of fresh sweet basil and the handsome leaves add a creative and cheery feel to any landscape.

Special Requirements for Cold Climate Gardeners: All basils are very cold sensitive. Light frost or cool soil will kill basil, so be sure to wait until weather is warm before setting outdoors.

Pest/Disease Issues: Basil seedlings can be quite prone to fungal and bacterial diseases if they are started under conditions that are cool, too wet, lacking excellent air circulation, or lacking strong daylight hours. We recommend starting basil seeds just a few weeks before planting out time, unless you have have grow lights. Mature basil plants can be tempting food for larger pests such as rabbits, and smaller creatures such as grasshoppers and slugs. A top dressing of diatomite is an effective, non-toxic means of keeping slugs and snails at bay. Growing your basil in pots may be an excellent solution if garden pests, rabbits, or deer are a problem.

Basil, Mammoth

CAD $2.75

Suitability for Indoors: Mammoth Basil can be grown indoors in a very sunny window during the spring and summer months.

Exposure: Full Sun

What about Grow Lights? A simple fluorescent light dramatically improves the success of basil indoors.

General Indoor Care: The sunniest possible location or grow lights are critical to the success of basil indoors. During the low daylight months of winter, grow lights are imperative. Mix a well drained potting mix amended with 25% compost. Avoid growing basil near heat vents or air conditioning vents, as the dry air will not be good for the plants.

Indoor Container Suggestions: Minimum 6" pot, with drainage holes. Mixed planters are not recommended for indoors.

Winter Fertilizing: Under lights, fertilize weekly with a higher nitrogen organic plant food such as Ocean Fish.

Winter Watering: Under lights, water deeply every few days. If plants don;t seem to be drying out, increase the air circulation.

Special Instructions: Harvest and cut frequently to increase bushiness an

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