Basil Dolce Fresca
2015 AAS Edible - Vegetable Winner
Basil Dolce Fresca

If there was an AAS category for an edible plant with ornamental value, this AAS Winner would fit that classification. Dolce Fresca produces sweet tender leaves that outshone the comparison varieties while maintaining an attractive, compact shape that’s both versatile and beautiful. Use the leaves as you would any Genovese basil and we hear it makes an excellent pesto.

After harvest, the plant was quick to recover and kept the desired ornamental shape that’s perfect for containers, borders, or as a focal point. Great for gardeners looking for drought-tolerant, hearty plants, foodies interested in a new and better basil, and anyone who wants that great Mediterranean taste added to their cuisine.

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Plant Description
Genus:
 Ocimum
Species:
 basilicum
Common Name:
 Basil
Plant Habit:
Compact, bushy
Plant Height:
13-14 inches
Plant Spread:
 10-12 inches
Foliage Color:
 Green
Breeder:
 Produced by PanAmerican Seed
Close Market Comparison:
 Italian Large Leaf, Minette
Planting & Care
Garden Spacing:
 10-12 inches
Days To Harvest (Sowing Seed):
 60-80
Days To Harvest (Transplant):
 20-28
Duration Type:
Annual
Light Needs:
Full sun
Water Needs:
Normal
Season Type:
Warm season
Staking Required:
No
Container:
Yes
Herb:
Yes
How to Grow:

Blog: Tips for speeding up germination indoors and outdoors

DIRECT SEEDING: Sow seed outdoors after frost 1/8 in./3 mm deep, thin seedlings when they are 1 in./25 mm high – to 6 in./15 cm apart. Transplant every other one, spacing plants to 12 in./31 cm apart about two weeks after your first thinning.

HARVEST: Leaves should be picked just before flowering – prolong this period by pinching off flowers. Use fresh or dried leaves. It has the mild flavor of anise with a slight mint aftertaste. Popular as a spice for tomato dishes, or blend with vinegar in French dressing, or in poultry stuffing. Sweet basil is a tender annual.

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