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Herbs · tender annual
Basil from seed
Ocimum basilicum
- Germination temperature
- 65 to 80°F (18 to 27°C)
- Sowing depth
- ¼ in (6 mm)
- Days to germinate
- 5 to 10 days
- Light
- Cover the seed; darkness helps
- Before sowing
- Nothing needed
- Start indoors
- 3 to 6 weeks before planting out
- Plant out
- 1 to 2 weeks after the last frost
- Sow outdoors
- 1 to 2 weeks after the last frost
- Spacing
- 4 to 8 in (10 to 20 cm)
Your dates from your last frost Seed not coming up?
Sowing
Sow indoors 3 to 6 weeks before the last frost, or direct after it. Basil germinates in 5 to 10 days and likes warmth (NDSU: 70 to 80°F).
Care and transplanting
Never plant out into cold; basil sulks below about 50°F. Pinch the tips to keep it bushy and remove flower buds.
Problems
Black leaves after a cold night, and damping off in cool, wet mix. Downy mildew is a known problem; give airflow and water at the base.
Saving seed
Let spikes brown and dry on the plant; shake out the tiny seed. Basil varieties cross.