Description

Experience the classic aroma and flavor of Italian Genovese basil, the traditional choice for making authentic pesto. This organic variety produces large, dark green, almond-shaped leaves and edible flowers, perfect for a wide range of dishes. Easy to grow in containers or garden beds, it thrives in sunny spots and can even be cultivated indoors during winter. Frost-sensitive yet robust, it reaches 18″–24″ tall and adds culinary charm to your garden or kitchen.

This packet sows up to 340 feet. 700 seeds.

Variety Info:

Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum
Family: Laminaceae
Native: Probably Africa, but in cultivation for so long that it cannot be verified.
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Plant Dimensions: 18″–24″ tall, 10″ wide
Variety Information: Large, dark green almond-shaped leaves. This is the true Italian pesto basil from the Genoa area of Italy, pesto capital of the world.
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Attributes: Good for Containers

Sowing Info:

When to Sow Outside: 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F, ideally 65°–85°F. Successive Sowings: We recommend 3 or 4 successive sowings every 3 weeks after initial sowing.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting outside. Transplant when your nighttime temperatures are above 50°F.
Days to Emerge: 5 – 10 Days
Seed Depth: ¼”
Seed Spacing: A group of 2 seeds every 12″
Row Spacing: 12″
Thinning: When 2″ tall, thin to 1 every 12″

Growing Info:

Harvesting: Basil flavor is best before the plant flowers. Harvest up to 1/3 of the plant at a time, leaving enough for the plant to be healthy and keep producing. Harvest prior to a frost; basil is very frost sensitive.