Grown Giant of Italy?

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Giant of Italy — Herbs | DarkGrow Seed Bank

Name: Giant of Italy
Brand: DarkGrow Seed Bank

75days to harvest

7-14 daysdays to germinate

Z3–11USDA zones

Easydifficulty

Heirloom

Sowing

Direct sow after last frost or start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: Regular, consistent moisture
Soil: Well-draining, fertile soil with moderate organic matter
Spacing: 9-12 inches
Height: 0-3 feet
Season: Biennial

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Dark green
Size: 18-20".
Shape: Flat, broad leaves on upright stems
Flavour: Strong, fresh, robust parsley flavor with excellent depth and intensity from large dark green leaves.

In the kitchen

Garnishing, sauces, soups, stews, chimichurri, fresh salads, herb blends, culinary presentations

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Parsley worms, spider mites, aphids
Diseases: Leaf spot, powdery mildew, septoria blight

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
3	April – May	June – July	—	July – October
4	March – April	June – July	—	July – October
5	March – April	May – June	—	June – October
6	March – April	May – June	—	June – November
7	February – March	April – June	—	June – November
8	February – March	April – May	—	May – December
9	January – February	March – April	—	April – December
10	January	February – April	—	April – December
11	January	January – March	—	March – December

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

TomatoesBasil repels tomato hornworms and aphids while improving tomato flavor

PeppersBasil deters aphids, spider mites, and thrips that commonly attack pepper plants

OreganoBoth Mediterranean herbs have similar growing requirements and oregano repels cucumber beetles

MarigoldsRepel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects like ladybugs

LettuceBasil provides light shade for lettuce and repels aphids and leaf miners

CarrotsBasil improves soil structure and repels carrot flies and aphids

ChivesRepel aphids and enhance basil growth through improved soil nutrients

ParsleyCompatible growing requirements and parsley attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies

Avoid

RueInhibits basil growth through allelopathic compounds and can cause leaf burn

SageCompetes for nutrients and can inhibit basil growth when planted too closely

ThymeCan stunt basil growth due to different water requirements and potential allelopathy

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 23
Protein (g): 3.15
Fat (g): 0.64
Carbohydrate (g): 2.65
Fibre (g): 1.6
Sugars (g): 0.3
Vitamin A (µg): 264
Vitamin C (mg): 18
Vitamin E (mg): 0.8
Vitamin K (µg): 415
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.155
Folate (µg): 68
Calcium (mg): 177
Iron (mg): 3.17
Magnesium (mg): 64
Phosphorus (mg): 56
Potassium (mg): 295
Zinc (mg): 0.81
Selenium (µg): 0.3

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Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the herbs growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Giant of Italy?

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