YATES Seed of the Month for December is basil minette, a compact grower that does very well in pots or makes a tidy garden edging that will last through the warm weather.
Basil minette is very easy to grow.
Sow seeds direct into the pre-prepared garden bed or pot.
Cover lightly, preferably with some Yates Seed Raising Mix, and keep moist.
Thin plants to about 20cm apart and allow them to develop into small, rounded bushes.
One of the best things about basil minette is that it stays compact without pinching back.
Begin harvesting leaves when the plants are established after six to eight weeks at this time of year.
Minette's leaves have a slightly spicier flavour than common sweet basil, which means they're particularly suitable for adding to cooked dishes.
Basil minette dries well, too, so, at the end of the season, you'll be able to preserve some of your basil for the winter months.
Feed every two weeks with a liquid plant food like Thrive Liquid All Purpose or Thrive dissolvable Easy Pods to encourage rapid growth and plenty of leaves.
Remember, if basil is planted next to tomatoes or capsicums, it's said to enhance their growth.
