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Basil

Ocimum basilicum

You can grow fresh basil in your own backyard, which will add flavour and aroma to your cooking.

When it comes time for harvesting, always pinch off leaves from the top of the plant first to promote lateral growth.

Basil leaves are best harvested before they flower for maximum flavour and fragrance.

In stock

Quick Sowing Guide

Method Sow direct
Sowing Depth 5mm
Season Spring or early summer
Germination 5-10 days @ 18-35°C
Hardiness/Life Cycle Frost tender Annual
Plant Spacing 30cm
Position Full sun, well drained soil
Harvest 60-80 days

Best Months to Sow

J F M A M J J A S O N D
Cool ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Temperate (Illawarra) ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Sub-Tropical ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Tropical ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Arid ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️

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Shellharbour City Libraries acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Dharawal Country and recognises their continued connection to the land. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and the contribution they make to the life of this City.

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Shellharbour City Libraries partnered with Warrigal Care to deliver Bee Connected, an intergenerational program aimed at forming meaningful connections between young people and seniors in the community through songs, games, reading, and crafts. 

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Shellharbour City Libraries partners with Junior Einsteins to deliver Bee Connected, an intergenerational program aimed at forming meaningful connections between young people and seniors in the community through songs, games, reading, and crafts. 

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Illawarra Legal Centre

Shellharbour City Libraries partnered with Illawarra Legal Centre to bring free community talks across our branches discussing a range of legal topics and how people can access help and resources as a part of the Libraries Law Week celebration.

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Shellharbour City Libraries partners with HARS to deliver the Tall Tales program. This program aims to make connections with local social, hobby and information organisations who appeal to male audiences and bring them into our library program space. 

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Shellharbour City Libraries partnered with Warrigal Care to deliver Bee Connected, an intergenerational program aimed at forming meaningful connections between young people and seniors in the community through songs, games, reading and crafts. 

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Shellharbour City Libraries leads Paint Shellharbour REaD, which is part of the Paint the Town REaD network. This initiative aims to promote early childhood literacy by connecting local early childhood education stakeholders and providers and collaborating with them to deliver reading events and activities. 

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Frasers Property

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Shellharbour City Libraries partners with Frasers Property Australia to deliver Toddler Tales, a weekly childhood reading program, at The Waterfront Shell Cove. The libraries have also partnered with Frasers Property Australia to deliver a term of Tech Savvy Seniors at Shell Cove.

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