Thompson & Morgan Herb Basil Siam Queen 75 Seeds Packet

Enjoy bursts of intense liquorice flavour and striking colour when you grow Siam Queen basil seeds at home, with each extra-large leaf adding a fragrant touch to your indoor herb garden. Purple-red stems and violet-pink flowers make this half-hardy annual a true showpiece for kitchen windowsills or outdoor containers. Supplied as a packet of seventy-five non-GMO seeds, you'll find growing and care instructions included, ensuring success whether you're sowing indoors or out. With a compact height and spread of thirty centimetres, Siam Queen basil is easy to manage, and you can harvest leaves regularly for fresh use or preserve them in oils and vinegars for later culinary adventures. How to grow: Sow basil seed from February to June, or sow throughout the year for indoor cultivation out of season. Sow seed on the surface of free draining seed compost and cover with a light sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Place in a propagator at a temperature of 15-25C (59-77F) or seal the container inside a polythene bag until after germination, which takes 14-21 days. Keep the compost slightly dry at all times, watering very lightly as seedlings emerge. When they are large enough to handle, transplant seedlings into 7.5cm (3in) pots and grow basil plants on in cooler conditions. When all risk of frost has passed, harden basil plants off before planting out in a sheltered sunny position in well drained, fertile sandy soil; or potting into patio containers, window boxes, or windowsill pots indoors. Water moderately taking care to avoid splashing the leaves. Harvest basil leaves regularly when required to promote fresh new growth and pinch out any flowers that appear to prolong the harvest period. Culinary note: Basil can be dried or frozen for using later on, or added to oils and vinegars for extra flavour.