Basil Seeds (Organic) - Genovese Ocimum basilicum
- Annual; Grows 24-36 Inches
- Widely considered the best basil for pesto!
- Prefers full sun exposure
Shipping Schedule
Seeds are shipped year-round, while perennials & bulbs are shipped seasonally. Pre-ordered bulbs ship at the proper planting time for your zone. Spring pre-orders are placed any time before March 1. Fall pre-orders are placed any time before September 1. These items will not ship immediately, but will be delivered at the ideal time for planting. Orders containing both seeds and bulbs may be split into multiple shipments. Click here for more shipping information.
| Pre-Ordered Spring Bulbs & Perennials | Shipping Begins |
|---|---|
| Zones 9 - 12 | Late February to Early March |
| Zone 8 | Early to Mid March |
| Zone 7 | Mid to Late March |
| Zone 6 | Early April |
| Zone 5 | Late April |
| Zones 2 - 4 | Late April to Early May |
| In-season orders ship immediately at the time of purchase to all zones until inventory is depleted. | |
| Saffron Crocus & Bearded Iris | Shipping Begins |
| All Zones | Late August |
| Pre-Ordered Fall Bulbs | Shipping Begins |
| Zones 2 - 4 | Mid September |
| Zone 5 | Mid to Late September |
| Zone 6 | Late September |
| Zone 7 | Late September to Early October |
| Zones 8 - 12 | Early to Mid October |
| In-season orders ship immediately at the time of purchase to all zones until inventory is depleted. | |
| Pre-Ordered Fall Perennials* | Shipping Begins |
| All Zones | Mid October |
| *Amaryllis Bulbs, Hosta Roots, Lily Bulbs, Papaver Roots, Paperwhite Bulbs, Peony Roots & Siberian Iris Roots | |
Product Description
Genovese Basil (Organic) Seeds
Though its name and its reputation are as Italian as it gets, many find it interesting to note that the cultivar that we call Genovese Basil actually hails from Asia and North Africa, and then made its way north and west centuries ago. Genovese Basil today is considered by all to be the superior basil for making the tastiest pesto in the world. Plant these 100% organic Genovese Basil seeds in a sunny spot and enjoy a tasty harvest of one of the world’s favorite herbs. Buy Organic Genovese Basil Seeds by the packet or in bulk!
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Fast Facts
Name: Basil Seeds (Organic) - Genovese Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum Life Cycle: Annual Light Requirement: Full Sun Planting Season: Spring Plant Type: Upright bush with large green leaves Features: Organic, Open Pollinated, Organic, Container Garden, Easy to Grow & Maintain, Indoor, Outdoor, Fast Growing, Culinary, Deer Resistant Days to Maturity: 60-90 Days Plant Spacing: 10 inches Planting Depth: 1/4 inch Sowing Method: Direct Sow, Start Indoors Cold Stratification: No Seeds per Packet: 500 mg Hardiness Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Ships: Year Round -
Planting Instructions
Growing Basil in Your Garden
Many herb-loving gardeners grow basil in vegetable beds and in pots around the kitchen door, where they’re easy to pinch for cooking and hard to forget to water.
When & How to Plant Basil Seeds
Basil is a tender annual that cannot survive through frost. Plant your basil seeds outdoors directly into your garden after all danger of frost has passed. Or, if you want a head start, plant basil seeds indoors as early as 6 weeks before the last frost and then plant out after you've hardened off your seedlings and the weather has warmed. Choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day and preferably in an area sheltered against cold winds. Keep in mind that basil leaves can be used in your daily culinary endeavors, so keep your plantings in reach or at least in a garden close to your kitchen.
Growing Guide for Basil
Basil prefers a position in your garden in full sun and thrives best in rather poor, gravelly, and well-drained soil. When grown in rich garden beds, they make more luxuriant vegetative growth but lose much of their fragrance and flavor. Basil is easily damaged by cold weather and will be killed by frost. Basil can tolerate very warm weather. Begin working your soil right after the last frost. Till the area or rake to loosen the soil and amend with either organic compost or well-rotted manure to add good drainage to the soil.
Sow basil seed ¼” deep; thin successful plants to 8 inches apart or more depending on the variety. Space rows 18 to 24 inches apart.
Keep your basil soil moist for quick growth, but do not overwater. It is best to mulch around the base of the plant to aide in moisture retention and to deter weeds.
Foliar feeding basil plants with a spray of compost tea or liquid seaweed extract twice during the growing season will give the plants the nutrients and protection it needs.
Basil makes a wonderful bedfellow with tomatoes and peppers to enhance their growth.
Harvesting Basil
Keep your basil plants around the kitchen door where they’re easy to pinch for cooking and adding to salads. With herbs, especially basil, using them regularly is a form of maintenance – the more you pinch, the more they grow.
The most favorable time for cutting is early in the morning after the dew has dried and before the plants have been touched with hot midday sun. Cut just as the flowers are about to open, it is at this stage that the essential oils are the most abundant.
Preparing for Planting Basil Next Season
Since Basil will be killed by any touch of frost, gardeners can prolong its life-span by transplanting basil plants into containers and moving them into a warm, sunny location indoor. Basil will do best near a south-facing window. If you live in USDA Zone 9 or above you can keep your basil growing outdoors year-round.
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Seed Coverage
Amount Recommended Coverage Packet Up to 30 Sq. Ft Ounce Package Up to 150 Sq. Ft 1/4 Pound Package Up to 600 Sq. Ft 1 Pound Sack Up to 2,500 Sq. Ft 5 Pound Sack Up to 12,500 Sq. Ft
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