Minette basil
How to grow & use Minette basil
Equipment
- Plant pot & soil
- 1 Seed tray (optional)
- 1 Heating mat (optional)
Seeds
- 1 packet Minette basil seeds
Instructions
The first step is to get the basil seeds.
- You can order them online from Amazon or some garden centres will sell them.
The next stage is to put the seeds in the soil.
- Fill a plant pot (or a few pots ) with soil, then add the seeds and sprinkle a bit of soil on top.
- Quick tip – If you put the seeds into a bowl of water for 30 minutes to 1 hour they will start growing quicker then simply putting them in soil.
- Quick tip – Instead of using plants pots start the seeds using a seed tray with a lid. The advantage of using a lid is that it will retain the moisture helping your plants grow. Simply put a bit of soil in the tray, spoon in the seeds and cover with a bit of soil.
Then simply put the pot or tray somewhere safe and leave them to sprout.
- The seeds will germinate in 5 to 15 days.
- Quick tip – Use a heat mat. All you do is put the tray on the mat and the extra heat will significantly speed up how fast your seeds will grow.
- For more info & why it works so well have a look at our article on a seed starter mat
Help them grow
- When they’ve grown thin the seedlings or transplant leaving 30 cm between plants, Then simple put them somewhere warm and sunny and wait for them to grow.
- One option (depending on the time of year or where you live) is to use an indoor grow light.
- For example the picture shows it after it was sown on 7 July, transferred into a pot on 14 July – the picture was taken 9th August and was ready for harvesting i.e. 2 months from sowing to harvest.
Notes
Option 2 – How to grow Minette Basil indoors (hydroponics or aquaponics)
Because of the importance of moisture and light it is ideally suited for hydroponics with additional lights.
Not only are they easier to grow, but you will also get fast results.
New to hydroponics? – Top 5 hydroponic kits for beginners
2. What is Minette basil used for
It is often used for pizzas but great in pasta and salads.
For example the picture on the right shows how I used it to make marinara sauce, using this type of basil.
It tends to have a stronger basil flavour than most fresh basils sold in shops.
3. Example Minette Basil Recipes
Below are some examples of popular ways of how to use it in cooking.
Marinara sauce with Minette basil
Tomato and Basil Soup
Vegan basil pesto recipe
More information
The type of basil you use will differ depending on the flavour you need, as well as recipe requirements. There is more info at the example basil recipes page .
Both seeds and plants are available online – Full details on Amazon
It was very easy to grow and added a lovely flavour to marinara sauce. Will definitely grow it again