{"product_id":"basil-dolce-fresca-ocimum-basilicum-fresh-mediterranean-taste","title":"Basil Dolce Fresca  | Ocimum basilicum | Fresh Mediterranean Taste","description":"\u003ch1 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eBasil Dolce Fresca | Ocimum basilicum | Genovese Basil | Herb\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDolce Fresca is a compact Genovese-type basil with the classic sweet, aromatic flavour of traditional Italian basil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Unlike many standard Genovese varieties that can become tall and leggy, Dolce Fresca develops a naturally \u003cstrong\u003ecompact, bushy and well-branched plant\u003c\/strong\u003e, making it an excellent choice for pots, balconies, kitchen gardens and smaller growing spaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plants produce plenty of \u003cstrong\u003etender, medium-green leaves with a traditional sweet Genovese basil flavour\u003c\/strong\u003e. The fresh leaves are excellent for pesto, pasta, tomato dishes, salads, soups, sauces and Mediterranean cooking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts short internodes and rounded growth habit make Dolce Fresca particularly attractive for container growing. Regular harvesting encourages new side shoots and helps maintain a \u003cstrong\u003edense, compact and productive plant\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDolce Fresca is an \u003cstrong\u003eAll-America Selections (AAS) Winner\u003c\/strong\u003e, recognised for its excellent flavour, high usable leaf yield and attractive compact habit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eOcimum basilicum\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVariety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dolce Fresca\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHerb Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Genovese basil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tender annual herb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Compact, bushy and mounded\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLeaf Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium green\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlavour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sweet, aromatic, traditional Genovese basil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 30–36 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpread:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 25–30 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Spacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25–30 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable For:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pots, balconies, herb gardens, kitchen gardens and hydroponic growing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity from Transplant:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 20–30 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrost Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not frost hardy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSowing \u0026amp; Germination\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSow indoors approximately \u003cstrong\u003e4–6 weeks before the last expected frost\u003c\/strong\u003e, or sow directly outdoors once the soil has warmed and night temperatures are consistently mild.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSow the seeds approximately \u003cstrong\u003e5–6 mm deep\u003c\/strong\u003e in a fine, moist and well-drained seed-starting substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaintain a temperature of approximately \u003cstrong\u003e21–24°C\u003c\/strong\u003e. Germination usually takes around \u003cstrong\u003e5–10 days\u003c\/strong\u003e under suitable warm conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep the seedlings evenly moist and provide plenty of light after germination. Protect young basil plants from low temperatures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTransplant outdoors \u003cstrong\u003eonly after the danger of frost has passed\u003c\/strong\u003e and temperatures are consistently warm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose a \u003cstrong\u003ewarm, sunny position\u003c\/strong\u003e with fertile, well-drained soil. For container growing, use a pot approximately \u003cstrong\u003e25 cm or larger\u003c\/strong\u003e filled with a good-quality, nutrient-rich potting mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen plants have developed around \u003cstrong\u003e6 true leaves\u003c\/strong\u003e, pinch out the growing tip to encourage branching and create a fuller, bushier plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarvest regularly to encourage continuous fresh growth and help delay flowering. For a continuous supply of fresh basil throughout summer, additional sowings can be made every \u003cstrong\u003e2–3 weeks\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHarvesting\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBegin harvesting leaves and young shoot tips once the plants are well established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegularly cutting the growing tips encourages \u003cstrong\u003enew side shoots and continued leaf production\u003c\/strong\u003e, while helping Dolce Fresca maintain its naturally compact shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the \u003cstrong\u003ebest flavour and most tender leaves\u003c\/strong\u003e, harvest regularly before the plants begin to flower.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCulinary Use\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDolce Fresca has the classic sweet and aromatic flavour associated with Genovese basil\u003c\/strong\u003e, making it an excellent fresh culinary herb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is particularly suitable for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFresh pesto\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePasta and tomato sauces\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaprese and fresh salads\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePizza\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoups and stews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFish and grilled vegetables\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHerb oils and vinegars\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBasil Dolce Fresca is an excellent choice for anyone looking for traditional Genovese basil flavour in a compact, highly productive plant.\u003c\/strong\u003e Its naturally bushy habit makes it particularly suitable for \u003cstrong\u003epots, balconies and small kitchen gardens\u003c\/strong\u003e, while still producing plenty of fresh leaves for harvesting throughout the season.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"therapyofflowers.com","offers":[{"title":"0.2 gram \/ 61–91 cm","offer_id":55050462232919,"sku":null,"price":1.7,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 gram \/ 61–91 cm","offer_id":55050462265687,"sku":null,"price":5.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0754\/9275\/3751\/files\/BasilDolceFresca_Ocimumbasilicum_FreshMediterraneanTaste.png?v=1789655108","url":"https:\/\/www.therapyofflowers.com\/products\/basil-dolce-fresca-ocimum-basilicum-fresh-mediterranean-taste","provider":"therapyofflowers.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}