Italian Large Leaf Basil Seeds
Grow your lush, fragrant garden with our premium Italian Large Leaf Basil seeds! This heirloom variety features sizable, vibrant green leaves perfect for various culinary dishes, from pesto to salads. The Italian Large Leaf Basil is easy to grow and maintain and brings an unbeatable aroma and flavor to your home garden. With our top-quality seeds, you'll enjoy abundant harvests of this classic herb throughout the warm season.
Germinating Directions:
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Prepare seed trays or small pots with a well-draining, sterile seed-starting mix. Moisten the mix lightly with water, ensuring it is damp but not soggy.
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Sow the Italian Large Leaf Basil seeds about 1/4-inch deep, spaced about 2 inches apart. Gently cover the seeds with the seed-starting mix.
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Place the seed trays or pots in a warm location with a consistent temperature of 70-75°F (21-24°C). Cover the trays or pots with plastic wrap or a humidity dome to maintain humidity.
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Keep the seed-starting mix consistently moist but not overly wet. Germination should occur within 5-10 days.
Growing Directions:
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After the seedlings have developed two sets of true leaves, transplant them to larger pots or directly into the garden. Basil prefers well-draining, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Space the plants about 12-18 inches apart.
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Select a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Basil thrives in full sun and warm temperatures.
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Water the basil plants regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Avoid splashing water on the leaves to prevent fungal diseases.
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Follow the manufacturer's recommendations to apply a balanced, all-purpose liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks.
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Pinch off the growing tips of the plants to encourage bushier growth and remove any flower buds as soon as they appear to prolong the harvesting period.
Harvesting Directions:
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Begin harvesting basil leaves when the plants have reached at least 6-8 inches tall. Harvest in the morning after the dew has dried for the best flavor.
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Regularly harvest basil leaves throughout the growing season to encourage new growth. Pick leaves from the top of the plant, leaving at least two sets of leaves on each stem for continued growth.
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Cut stems just above a set of leaves to harvest larger quantities, and new growth will emerge from that point.
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Use fresh basil leaves immediately or store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Alternatively, basil leaves can be dried or frozen for longer-term storage.