I'm exploring different basil varieties on Johnny's Seeds, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed! They have several options for Genovese basil, including Noga, Mia, and both pelleted and organic versions. Honestly, I'm not a fan of organic, so I'm looking for recommendations on which basil variety would be best to plant. Any thoughts?
3 Answers
For my summer garden, I always include at least one Genovese or sweet basil, one Thai basil, and some Tulsi. These three really cover most cooking needs. I find the flavored varieties like cinnamon and lime to be more novelty than necessary. Also, be mindful of hybrids vs. open-pollinated options. Some hybrids resist diseases better, while open-pollinated allows you to save seeds. Check the details on Johnny's to see what's worth it for your garden!
I usually grow a mix of Genovese, cinnamon, Persian, blue spice, and Tulsi. They each have their unique flavors and uses in cooking. If you're looking to stock your garden, sweet Genovese is a classic favorite!
Totally agree, sweet Genovese is the best!
Lettuce Leaf is my top pick! It makes for awesome wraps with so much more flavor. I typically grow a couple of large-leaf varieties each year, but I keep coming back to Lettuce Leaf and a purple basil for fun. If you're curious about taste, definitely look up the profiles and see what suits you!
I just got some lettuce leaf seeds myself! How does its flavor compare to Genovese?

Yeah, I hear Thai basil is fantastic, I just started growing it last year and love the aroma!