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Start indoors

Bush basil

Sowing in:
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Additional

MM coconut seed-starting mix
MM coconut seed-starting mix
€ 4,95
Airpots
Airpots
€ 5,95

Description

Bush basil has smaller leaves than the better-known Genovese basil, but tastes just as good and is better suited to outdoor growing.

Specifications

Pre-sowing: March to June
Height: 20-35 cm
Contents: approx. 150 seeds, enough for 10+ squares

In the app

Sowing: 1 March - 31 July

Level 1

sowed indoors

Level 2

seedlings visible

Level 3

seedlings thinned out

Level 4

tiny plants

Level 5

topped plants

Level 6

first day hardened-off

Level 7

hardened-off 2 days

Level 8

hardened-off 3 days

Level 9

hardened-off 4 days

Level 10

hardened-off 5 days

Level 11

at final place

Level 12

small bushes

  • Currently only shipping to the Netherlands and Belgium
  • Choose your preferred delivery date
  • Sent by PostNL or Transmission
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  • The app helps you with almost everything you do in your vegetable garden: sowing, tending, and harvesting.
  • If something goes wrong, the app tells you what steps to take.
  • If that doesn’t work, you can ask us for advice.
  • If that still doesn’t help, we’ll look for other solutions together. Until we get it right.

More about our Bush basil

This Bush basil has smaller leaves than most other varieties and grows into a compact little bush.

The flavour is similar to the better-known Italian basil, but this variety has an advantage: the plants cope better with drought, heat and slugs. That makes them better suited to outdoor growing.

  • Variety: Bush basil 'Bascuro Darkgreen'
  • Family: leafy herbs
  • Number per square: 4
  • Height: 20 to 35 cm
  • Pre-sowing: March to June
  • Sowing depth: 1 cm
  • Germination time: 5 to 7 days from 18°C
  • Time to harvest: from 9 to 10 weeks
  • Sunlight: grows in sun or shade
  • Packet contents: approx. 150 seeds, enough for 10+ squares
Struikbasilicum kan goed tegen het Nederlands buitenklimaat
Struikbasilicum kan goed tegen het Nederlands buitenklimaat

What do you need to grow your own bush basil?

You only need a few things to grow bush basil:
  • a 30x30 cm patch with airy, nutritious soil mix
  • bush basil seeds
  • a place with at least 6 hours of sunlight a day
In other words: an MM-Mini, or a square patch in one of our garden boxes, filled with MM-Mix.

Growing your own bush basil is super easy with the MM-Mix. If you grow in low-quality (potting) soil, disappointment is pretty much guaranteed. So don't skimp on soil mix: go for the best.

How do you sow and grow bush basil?

Our bush basil is included in the free Planty Gardening app. Use it, and you'll get step-by-step guidance from seed to harvest.

Each vegetable goes through a number of stages - we call them levels. The app tells you exactly what to do at each level and checks in when your plants are ready for the next.

So you don't need to know how to grow bush basil before you start: the app takes you through every step.

But if you'd like to read more about those steps, here's what the whole process looks like:
Ready to harvest leafs from the bush basil
Bush basil: ready for harvesting

Level 1: Pre-sowing basil plants

Level 1: Struikbasilicum voorzaaien

Young basil seedlings rarely, if ever, survive outside - especially here in Northwestern Europe. They are immediately eaten by snails and other pests.

So, you start basil plants indoors first. The temperatures and conditions inside will help the seeds germinate. You move them into your garden box when the small plants are strong enough.

To pre-sow your basil indoors, use 4 pots of MM-Mix (or even better: a pre-sowing mixture).  Put a few seeds in each pot and place them on the windowsill.

Level 2 and 3: Bush basil seedlings

Level 2 en 3: Struikbasilicum zaailingen

As soon as you see the first seedlings, you know things are going well. They probably won't all come up at once, but just give it another week.

At the 3rd level, you thin out your seedlings. Leave the best seedling in each pot and ruthlessly cut away the rest. It might sound harsh, but it's necessary. The remaining plants get the room they need to grow.

In a week, you'll move on to the next level:
Small bush basil seedlings
Small bush basil seedlings

Level 4 and 5: Caring for your plants on the windowsill

Level 4 en 5: Verzorg je plantjes op de vensterbank

By now your seedlings have become small plants.

In these 5 weeks, you take care of them by making sure they
  • get a lot of light
  • are not too warm
  • and get enough moisture
In the last weeks, cut off the tops of the main stems. This will allow the plants to grow side branches and get bushier.
Bush basil on the windowsill
Bush basil on the windowsill

Level 6-10: Getting used to the outdoors

Level 6-10: Laten wennen aan de buitenlucht

In the second half of May, let the plants get used to being outdoors. Take the pots outside for a little longer every day. By the last level, they've been outside the whole day and only come inside at night.
Kleine basilicumplantjes laten wennen aan de buitenlucht.

Level 11: Transfer your basil plants outdoors

Level 11: Plant de plantjes in je Makkelijke Moestuinbak of een MM-mini

When your plants have gotten used to being outside, you can transfer them to your garden box or MM-Mini. 

After transplanting, there isn't much more to do: your plants pretty much grow on their own.
In one Planty Gardening patch fit 4 bush basil plants
4 basil plants in a patch

Level 12: Harvesting and blooming

Level 12: Basilicum oogsten en bloeien

About 10 weeks after sowing, the plants are ready to harvest. Cut or pick a few of the leaves.

Soon the plants will start to flower. Remove the flower buds right away. That will encourage the plant to make more leaves and get bushier.

You can continue to harvest basil leaves until it gets cold, usually around October.
4 big bushy basils in a square patch
4 big bushy basils in a square patch

What do you use bush basil for?

The leaves are delicious in soup, salads, and pasta. Don't add it until the very last minute: basil quickly loses its flavor when cooked.

Basil and tomato are a match made in heaven: add mozzarella, oil, and balsamic you have a world-class salad. 

If you have a lot of basil plants, make a pesto.

The flowers are also edible but have a stronger flavor. Ideal for making basil oil.
Blooming bush basil in a Planty Garden
Blooming bush basil

At the end of the season

The app gives you a final reminder: it's too cold now and time to remove your plants.

Dus: wat let je om zelf struikbasilicum te zaaien en te kweken?

Het is een super lekker kruid en best makkelijk om te telen, en de struikjes zien er prachtig uit. Plus: met onze app en materialen is het bijna onmogelijk om te falen 😀

Succes!