{"product_id":"b07bb1ms5d","title":"Park Seed Basil Herb Plant Seeds, Easy to Grow, Variety of Colors, Spring Garden, Organic Italian Large Leaf, Pack of 400","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eAbout This\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDays to Maturity: 75 from direct sow. Basils are loaded with volatile oils, responsible for the heady aroma and strong flavor so essential to cooking. Large Leaf Italian basil is regarded as the essential variety for true Neapolitan cuisine, especially pesto. And in the garden, basil works to repel aphids, mites, and hornworms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExpect this Genovese-type basil to grow 18 to 24 inches high and 12 to 15 inches wide. The dark green, shiny leaves grow up to 3 inches long on a tall, erect plant that is slow to bolt. Small terminal bunches of pink flowers will bud out in summer; pinch the new buds away if you want to harvest more of the leaves!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBegin seeds either indoors in late winter or direct-sow in spring. To start indoors, sow about 6 to 8 weeks before last frost. The seeds will germinate in 5 to 10 days. Transplant when they have 2 sets of true leaves, spacing plants 12 to 15 inch apart in garden, or in your best containers. If you are direct-sowing, wait until soil has thoroughly warmed up in spring. Then cover the seeds with about ¼-inch of soil, and thin the young plants to 12 to 15 inch apart when they are about 2 inch tall\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAs your basil plants grow, pinch off the central stem when they are about 6 weeks old, and prune back each stem when it has more than 8 sets of leaves. (Cut it back to the first or second set of leaves, harvesting the rest.) If you keep your plants well pinched and pruned, you should be able to harvest half a cup of fresh leaves every week during the growing season!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBasil loves hot weather and plenty of sunshine, but it needs consistently moist, rich soil. Mulch the plants to retain moisture, and water heavily during dry spells. Harvest the plant before the cold weather sets in, as this will affect the leaves, texture, and flavor. Freeze entire stems, with the leaves still attached, for best flavor retention, or dry the leaves for seasoning. You will always be assured of a big harvest from Large Leaf Italian!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eOverview\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIndoor\/Outdoor Usage : Indoor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrand : Park Seed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial Feature : Organic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColor : Organic Italian Large Leaf\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExpected Blooming Period : Year Round\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSunlight Exposure : Full Sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnit Count : 400.0 Count\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExpected Planting Period : Year Round\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduct Care Instructions : water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zone : 11\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"ParkSeed","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47397481906429,"sku":"B07BB1MS5D","price":14.32,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0771\/7833\/9581\/files\/618w-90eJ_L._AC.jpg?v=1776419936","url":"https:\/\/gardenoasiss.com\/products\/b07bb1ms5d","provider":"Garden Oasis","version":"1.0","type":"link"}