Garden Chives & Basil Dark Opal Seeds

Garden Chives
Hardy Perennial
Chives are a member of the onion family. They are easy to grow and will return year after year. Attractive to bees and butterflies, chives have tall green stems with an onion like flavour. They produce edible purple flowers which can be used to garnish summer salads and savoury dishes.

Sow Indoors: all year round to grow indoors. Sow from February to May for transplanting outdoors.
Transplant: April - July
Sow Outdoors: May - August
Harvest: January - December

Direct Sow
Sow seeds where they are to grow form early spring, once risk of frost has passed. Sow seeds in drills 30cm apart and 1cm deep. Lightly cover the seeds and water. When seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be thinned to 20cm apart.

Sow indoors:
Sow seeds into trays of good quality compost and lightly cover. Place tray into a propagator or clear bag in a warm sunny position. This will help speed germination which should take between 14-21 days. When seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be transplanted. If plants are to be placed outdoors, they should be hardened off by placing them outdoors during the day and bringing them back indoors at night. Repeat this for 7-10 days.
Chives look and smell lovely on a kitchen windowsill.
Growing height: 40cm

Basil Opal
Half-hardy Annual
This Greek variety produces deep purple leaves with a clove like flavour. A good foiliage filler in beds, borders and containers. Can be grown indoors year-round with multiple sowings and harvests or seasonally outdoors.

Sow Indoors: all year round to grow indoors. Sow from February to May for transplanting outdoors.
Transplant: April - July
Sow Outdoors: May - August
Harvest: January - December

Sow seeds into a tray of good quality free draining compost. Lightly cover with compost or a fine grit and place in a propagator or seal inside a clear bag. This will create humidity to help start germination. Place in a light warm location until seedlings start to emerge, the bag or lid can then be removed but seedlings must be kept warm and away from drafts. Germination can take 14 - 21 days.
Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be transplanted into larger pots and placed in the kitchen or outdoors. If plants are to be placed outdoors, they must be hardened off by placing them outdoors during the day and bringing them back indoors at night. Repeat for 10-15 days. Plants can be planted into beds and borders but should be protected from slugs and snails.
Seeds can be sown direct outdoors into pots once the risk of frost has passed. Thin seedlings to 30cm apart once they are large enough to handle.
Harvest leaves regularly. Tear rather than chop to help retain the plants aroma. Leaves can be dried or frozen. For a fresh supply of leaves indoors year-round, sow seeds every 12-14 weeks.
Growing height: 30cm