A classic Basil!

Sweet Basil, Ocimum basilicum, is ideal for pesto, tomato sauces and salads. Start early indoors or sow directly outdoors after all danger of frost.

Sun: full sun/part shade

Life Cycle: Annual

Height: 12 to 18 inches

Spread: 10 to 14 inches

Days to maturity: 60 to 90 days

*Please Note* Because our seeds are harvested by hand, without the use of machines, a small amount of plant matter may be present in the seed packets.

Sowing Seed Indoors:

• Sow basil seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost in spring using a seed starting kit
• Sow seeds ¼ inches deep in seed-starting formula
• Keep the soil moist at 70 degrees F
• Seedlings emerge in 7-14 days
• As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller. Incandescent bulbs will not work for this process because they will get too hot. Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours.
• Seedlings do not need much fertilizer, feed when they are 3-4 weeks old using a starter solution (half strength of a complete indoor houseplant food) according to manufacturer’s directions.
• If you are growing in small cells, you may need to transplant the seedlings to 3 or 4 inch pots when seedlings have at least 3 pairs of leaves before transplanting to the garden so they have enough room to develop strong roots.
• Before planting in the garden, seedling plants need to be “hardened off”. Accustom young plants to outdoor conditions by moving them to a sheltered place outside for a week. Be sure to protect them from wind and hot sun at first. If frost threatens at night, cover or bring containers indoors, then take them out again in the morning. This hardening off process toughens the plant’s cell structure and reduces transplant shock and scalding.

Sowing Directly in the Garden:

• Direct sow in average soil in full sun to part shade after all danger of frost when the soil is at least 60 degrees F.
• Remove weeds and work organic matter into the top 6-8 inches of soil; then level and smooth.
• Sow seeds evenly and cover with ¼ inches of fine soil.
• Firm the soil lightly and keep evenly moist.
• Seedlings will emerge in 7-14 days, possibly longer in cooler soils.