Tony Scavo Basil
Item Details
This intensely flavored, aromatic basil will produce well if harvested regularly. The leaves have prominent veins and serrated edges and grow to about 15" tall. Gale Morris of Iowa donated the variety to Seed Savers Exchange in 2014. Gale received the seeds from his friend, Des Moines truck farmer Tony Scavo. Tony's parents, Nick and Patricia, brought this heirloom to the United States when they emigrated from Bari, Italy, in the early 1900s.
- Organic
- From the Collection
- Intense flavor
- Plants will grow to 18-24 inches
- Sweet, fragrant leaves
This variety works for:
- Fresh eating
The flavor of basil is best when the leaves are fresh. Cooking or heating the leaves will change the flavor so add the leaves at the last minute to warm dishes.
Basil is one of the main ingredients in pesto, along with olive oil and garlic. You can also steep the leaves of basil in milk or cream and create basil flavored confections like chocolates or ice cream.
Growing Instructions
Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors when soil is warm and temperature does not drop below 65°F. Can also be started indoors 4-6 weeks before planting out. Make successive sowings for continuous summer supplies. Pinch back flower stalks as they appear to keep plants from bolting. Prefers rich well-drained soil.
- Direct Seed: 1/8" Deep
- Germination: 5-30 Days
- Thin: 4-6" Apart
- Light: Full Sun