Dark Opal Basil
Seed Count: Approx. 300 seeds
Days to Maturity: 60 Days
Description: If you're looking for a beautiful gothic herb to add to your garden then the Dark Opal Basil is it. With its deep purple, almost black leaves and a hint of green variegation, this basil is pure eye candy. Its rich, slightly spicy flavor has a bold, almost clove-like twist that takes pesto, caprese salads, and cocktails to the next level. Plus, the more you harvest it, the more it grows, making it a super productive and easy-to-love variety. And the gorgeous pink flowers are major pollinator attractors, talk about a win win.
Mint2Grow Tip: I like to plant my basil between my tomato plants. It makes a good defense against hornworms, and I've noticed significantly less of them when I do this. Basil makes for a delicious tea by itself, which is kind of sweet and minty, or add it to a pot with lemongrass and mint for a Caribbean styled "bush tea".
How To Grow
Sowing: Since basil loves warm weather, it grows best when the soil has warmed and there is no chance of frost. In cool climates, start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost, sowing them thinly and providing heat to speed up the germination. Transplant 15-18" apart. To direct sow, plant the seeds 1/4" deep, in rich soil and full sun, thinning to 15-18" apart when the seedlings develop. Basil also grows well indoors or as a container plant.
Growing: Basil needs well draining soil, yet needs to be watered often. If the weather drops below 50 degrees, provide protection. As the plant grows, pruning it helps it to develop into a bushy, healthy plant; pruning is also important because once the plant flowers, it will begin to wilt and die. To prune the plant, remove the top several sets of leaves on each stem, taking care to leave at least three sets of leaves on the lower part. Try planting basil with tomatoes. It will help deter tomato hornworms by masking the tomato plants’ smell.
Harvesting: Basil can be harvested as soon as it reaches a height of 6-8". The best time to harvest the leaves are in the morning after the dew dries. After the plant is established, harvesting often actually improves production; once the flowers develop, the leaves grow bitter in taste. Remove single leaves or parts of a stem as needed, taking care to leave at least three sets of leaves on the length of the stem for healthy growth. Fresh basil will keep for several days at room temperature, with the stems in a glass of water; if refrigerated, it tends to wilt and turn brown. Basil also freezes well once chopped and placed in olive oil, and dries well. Dry by using a dehydrator, an oven, or by hanging and drying in a dry, warm location.
