Basil "Lettuce Leaf"

Green Basil "Lettuce Leaf".
Basil has tonic properties, improves digestion. Early ripe: from shoots to technical ripeness 50-60 days) a variety of large-leaved basil with green, sweet leaves of an impressive size.
A pleasant taste and spicy aroma will spice up salads and soups, harmoniously complement fish and meat dishes, perfectly combined with garlic sauce...
The plant is erect, 40-50 cm high.

BASIL.
Life cycle: annual crop.
Growing conditions: in open ground. In Estonia, grown through seedlings and sowing seeds in open ground.
Seeds: 500-600 seeds per 1 g.
Sowing: late March-early April in a heated greenhouse or heated room. Sow in seed boxes to a depth of 0.5-1 cm.
Germination: after 1.5-2 weeks at a temperature of +20+25°C.
Growing seedlings: in the phase of the first true leaf, pick into 5x5 cm pots.
Approximately a week after picking, carry out the first fertilizing with mineral fertilizers. If necessary, repeat the fertilizing after 10-14 days.
Before planting seedlings, harden the plants: lower the temperature and limit watering.
Planting: when the threat of frost has passed (in Estonia - late May - early June). Water generously before planting (1 l in each hole).
Planting patterns may vary: 45x45 cm, 60x30 cm. The optimum planting density is 4-6 plants/m2.
Soil: well-drained, fertile, light, sandy loam.
Basil is a heat- and light-loving crop; it is planted in well-warmed areas protected from northern winds.
Watering: regular, as needed (optimal soil moisture promotes good leaf growth).
Nutrition: in autumn, compost or humus (2-5 kg/m2), superphosphate (20-25 g/m2), potassium salt (10-15 g/m2) are added during digging. Before planting or sowing - nitrogen fertilizers (ammonium sulfate - 15-20 g / m2).
Care: loosening the row spacing, weeding and watering. To form a larger vegetative mass, it is necessary to regularly remove flower buds.
Collection: basil is cut when the shoots are 10-12 cm long, 3-5 times during the growing season.
For harvesting (drying), harvest at the beginning of flowering, since in this phase of development the leaves have the highest content of essential oils.