How to Care for Genovese Basil
Genovese basil (Ocimum basilicum 'Genovese') is a basil cultivar prized for its large leaves and its flavor, which is sweet and spicy at once. It gets its name from the Genoa region of Italy, and it is often used in Italian cuisine to make pesto. Basil is one of the easiest annual herbs to grow and care for in a home garden.
Growing Genovese Basil
Basil is easy to grow from seeds, which require soil temperatures of 70 degrees Fahrenheit in order to germinate, according to the University of Illinois Extension. Under the right conditions, the seeds take about a week to germinate. While basil grows well in containers indoors and outdoors, you can also start the seeds in pots and transplant the seedlings in garden beds after a month or so.
Basil grows best in full sun, meaning at least six hours of sunlight a day, and it requires soil that is moist and rich in organic matter, which is why it's always a good idea to amend the soil with manure or compost before planting. Genovese basil grows best in soils that have a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. If the soil you are planning to use is more acidic, amend it with lime before planting. According to the Clemson University Cooperative Extension, you should allow 2 feet between Genovese basil plants, as they can grow up to 4 feet tall.
Caring for Genovese Basil
The University of Minnesota Extension recommends using a 5-10-5 fertilizer formula for basil grown in garden beds. For basil grown in containers indoors, a liquid fertilizer applied at half strength every four to six weeks is appropriate. Genovese basil grown in containers outdoors should be fertilized every three or four weeks. Be careful not to feed your basil plants more than necessary, warns the Clemson University Cooperative Extension, as the flavor of the leaves tends to diminish if the plant grows too quickly.
Genovese basil plants also need adequate moisture for optimal performance and flavor. Per the University of Minnesota Extension, basil plants should be watered deeply every seven to 10 days. As a general rule, basil that is grown in containers needs more frequent watering since the soil dries out quicker. Basil plants also need to be pruned on a regular basis to maintain vigor. Failing to prune basil plants can result in flowering, which makes the plant become woody and negatively affects the basil flavor.
Genovese Basil Problems
All basil plants, including purple basil varieties and Genovese basil, are prone to a number of diseases, including soil-borne diseases, like fusarium wilt and bacterial wilt. Avoid planting basil where infected plants were previously grown, as the pathogens linger in the soil for a considerable amount of time. While basil plants need moisture to thrive, be advised that they can develop root rot in poorly drained soil.
Avoid getting the leaves of the basil plant wet when watering, as the excess moisture can also encourage the development of a variety of fungal leaf diseases, such as leaf spot and downy mildew. Spacing the plants properly to allow for good air circulation can help prevent these conditions from developing. After you harvest your basil leaves, it is best to keep them at room temperature with the stems in water rather than in the refrigerator, says the University of Illinois Extension. You can also dry and store basil to be used later.
Things You Will Need
Manure or compost
Garden lime (if needed)
- Chop Genovese basil and freeze it in water in an ice cube tray. Remove the cubes and place in a freezer bag. Use the frozen cubes to add seasoning to soups and sauces.
- Avoid getting water on the foliage as this invites disease.
<!--StartFragment-->Since beginning her career as a professional journalist in 2007, Nathalie Alonso has covered a myriad of topics, including arts, culture and travel, for newspapers and magazines in New York City. She holds a B.A. in American Studies from Columbia University and lives in Queens with her two cats.<!--EndFragment-->