LIME BASIL SEEDS

Ocimum americanum

From Thailand. Fantastically sweet lime fragrance and flavor and is excellent in salsas, cucumber-based salads, and cold-steeped herbal beverages and cocktails. It makes a superlative sorbet. Fragrant crushed clippings make a good insect repellant for both humans and cabbages.

Sow seed indoors a month or so before the last frost: press seeds into moist soil andmist generously with very warm water. Cover with plastic to maintain moisture and temperature. Kept warm (75°F) and moist in bright light seeds should germinate in a week. Uncover germinated seeds promptly. Provide good air circulation. Transplant to individual cells or containers when seedlings have true leaves. Keep seedlings warm in bright light and water from the bottom. Pinch plants to encourage branching once they have two or three sets of true leaves. Transplant outdoors into full sun and well drained soil after all danger of frost has passed.

Lime Basil makes an excellent container plant. Whether in the ground or in a pot, plants should be clipped or pinched regularly to prohibit blooming, which will diminish the value of the leaves considerably. That said, flowers are edible and delicious. Seeds may be sown successively every few weeks throughout the summer.

Packet contains 100 seeds.