Basil Bolognese Aurelia 8211 Renee8217s Garden

Ocimum basilicum Bolognese Basil Classic Sweet Basil flavor with spicy undertones Great paired with veggies or in rice and pasta Great in pesto Container Friendly Pollinator friendly This is the strain of basil our favorite Italian seed grower produces for his local home market in the Bologna region. Aurelia offers classic sweet basil flavor with especially rich spicy undertones. Plants grow vigorously and branch early into heavy sprays of big shiny green leaves with a complex aromatic fragrance. Aurelia pairs beautifully with summer veggies, pasta, rice, chicken and pork dishes. Totally terrific with tomatoes and heavenly for pesto. Seed Count: Approx. 700 / Weight: 1.75 g Cold Winters Mild Winters Sun/Shade Sow Seeds Days To Germinate Mature Height May June April July Full sun 1 inch apart1/4 inch deep 7 14 days 1 1.5 feet ANNUAL Summer/fall harvestHeat-loving, frost tender TO PLANT DIRECTLY INTO THE GARDEN When late spring weather reaches 55F (10C) both day and night, sow seeds 1 inch apart in well worked, fertile soil in full sun. Cover 1/4 inch deep, firm soil and keep seed bed moist. Germination takes 1 to 2 weeks. After seedlings are well established, thin or transplant 8 inches apart, which allows plants enough elbow room grow and mature. TO START EARLY INDOORS Sow seeds 1 to 2 inches apart in a container of fresh seed starting mix, 4 weeks before last expected frost. Keep warm and evenly moist, and provide a good light source. Feed with 1/2 strength liquid fertilizer every 10 days. Once weather warms outdoors, acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions, then transplant 8 inches apart into the garden. GROWING NOTES It is critical to sow seed or transplant basil seedlings only when late spring day and nighttime temperatures stay above 55F (13C). Harvest sprays of leaves by snipping stems just above two new sprouting lateral branches to encourage lush foliage. Keep flower buds pinched off to extend harvesting. Feed regularly with high nitrogen fertilizer after harvesting to promote new growth. Except in very short season areas, make a second planting three weeks after the first for a continued supply of fresh, aromatic leaves.