Basil Perennial Red

(Lycopersicon esculentum )

A popular crimson red medium tomato with great taste that tolerates low night temperatures, so it is ideal for cooler area. A Russian heirloom that is an early producer. A tough and vigorous producer that needs staking.

An attractive cultivar medium sized, scarlet red fruit that is full of flavour. Tolerant of cool night temperatures and ideal for cool climate gardens

Flavours/Food Partners

A rich flavored tomato that partners well with Latin herbs like garlic, oregano, marjoram, rosemary and thyme. Use with any good salad vegetable, Nasturtium flowers and mixed fresh herbs to make an attractive and tasty salad.

Health/Cooking/Medicinal

Like all tomatoes, Red Russian is high in the cancer fighting agent, Lycopene and also Vitamin C. For a classic rich sauce cook and mix with garlic, marjoram, sweet basil, diced shallots, and fresh pizza thyme. Finely dice, mix finely chopped shallots, fresh pesto basil and extra virgin olive oil and place on lightly toasted Turkish bread then top with an anchovie for a special homemade bruschetta.

Landscaping/Planting

Plant in an airy, sunny position in well drained soil or very large pots. Requires a 1.1 to 1.4 m stake.

Cultivation/Fertiliser

Like all tomatoes it must receive a deep soaking when almost dry and should not receive overhead watering. Feed regularly with Seasol and Powerfeed. A small amount of dolomite lime after planting will make stronger plants. Remove side shoots and develop two or three main leaders. Harvest when fruit is full color

Herb Attributes

Position Full Sun
Height 1.2m
Width 50cm
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Description

(Ocimum kilimandscharicum × basilicum ´Dark Opal´)

An easy to grow soft perennial that has a spicy clove aroma. Can be harvested all year and like all basil, every part of the plant is edible, each with its own flavour profile.

Flavours/Food Partners

Parsley, chives, mint, ginger, turmeric, garlic and oregano. Enhances most vegetables, pasta dishes and seafood. Partners well with tomato, green beans, kale and chicken. Use leaves as you would with common basil. Flowers make a nice herbal tea.

Health/Cooking/Medicinal

Ideal for use in a tasty pesto, with rich mellow flavour. Also for soups, pasta, stir-fries, salads and casseroles. For baked fish in an alfoil pillow, make a stuffing of tomato, cut lemon and basil to taste. Mix with geranium cinnamon leaf, sage, grapefruit mint and ginger for an aromatic herbal tea.

Landscaping/Planting

This quick growing herb likes fertile, moist soil in part to full sun. Will grow in any vegie garden and large pots on sunny verandahs. Hardy perennial that will survive most winters – tolerant of light frosts.

Cultivation/Fertiliser

Harvest often and give regular applications of Seasol and PowerFeed to keep the plant healthy and producing well. Prune back in late summer if bush gets too large.

Herb Attributes

Position PART TO FULL SUN, LIGHT FROST
Height 80CM
Width 60CM

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