Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Genovese Basil also known as ‘Sweet Basil’, has been a common staple herb for culinary dishes and drinks since its origination in India thousands of years ago. Genovese Basil is debatably the easiest herb to grow in gardens and containers. It is tolerant of many soil types and is rabbit/deer resistant. Basil is a semi-tropical herb and needs sunny, warm temperatures; it does not tolerate frost or cold temperatures. This heirloom variety is well known for the flavor of its large, deep green leaves. Genovese Basil has flavor unlike any other herb with unique aromatics and notes of pepper, clove, anise and mint. It is a good all-around choice for salad, pesto, pizza, and Italian dishes. We recommend pairing with Beefsteak Tomatoes to make classic pasta or pizza sauces fresh at home. This seed can also be used to grow microgreens.
NAME: Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
VARIETY: Genovese (Aka ‘Sweet Basil’)
DAYS TO MATURITY: 60 – 70 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Annual in zones 4 – 9, perennial in zones 10 – 12
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 4 – 12
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun
SOIL: Fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 – 7.0
PLANT HEIGHT: 12 – 26 inches
SPACING: 8 – 12 inches apart
TEMP: 55 – 90°F
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
Sow seeds indoors 2 weeks before your last local spring frost
You can sow into small or large pots; the seedlings can remain in larger pots for their entire life if you choose
You can also sow in cell trays to transplant outside later
Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting soil mix, keeping the soil moist and ensuring ambient temps are around 70°F
Seedlings will sprout in 7 to 14 days
As soon as the seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow 3 to 4 inches beneath fluorescent/LED plant lights turned on 15 hours per day, off for 9 hours at night, raising the light with growth
Before planting outside make sure soil temps are at least 55°F and ambient temps don’t fall below 60°F, basil seedlings are sensitive to cold temperatures.
You will also need to first harden off the seedlings for several days. Do this by taking them outside during the day and bringing them in at night (Outside temps should be above 50°F when you start this process)
Direct sow seeds outdoors once ambient temps stay above 60°F during the day and night; soil temp should be 55°F or higher (Minor temperature fluctuations are okay)
Sow seeds 2 inches apart and cover with ¼ inch of fine soil; press soil down lightly and water them in generously; seedlings will emerge in 7 to 14 days (Warmer soil temps germinate the seeds quicker)
When seedlings are 2 inches tall, thin to 8 inches apart; this will allow enough space for each plant to grow
It is important to keep the soil continuously moist until the sprouts get to be 1 inch tall
Cutting the plant stem above a leaf node will cause it to bush out more, which is recommended for more productivity and less tall leggy plants
Genovese Basil can be grown as an annual in most climates, but in warmer regions, it may behave as a perennial.
Pinch back the growing tips of the plants regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent them from becoming leggy.
Leaves may be harvested individually once the plant is over 8 inches tall; be careful not to overharvest and keep a few leaves on the plant for photosynthesis
Harvest leaves as needed throughout the growing season, but avoid harvesting more than one-third of the plant at a time to ensure continued growth.
