Sweet Genovese Basil Seed Packet
Plant Size Guide
Sweet Genovese Basil
Ocimum Basilicum
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
110 seeds per packet
days to maturity: 65 days
plant spacing: 1-3 plants per square foot
sunlight requirements: 6-14 hours
look out for: Downey mildew and basil leaf miners
harvest notes: harvest whole branches 6” down
annual
Genovese aka Sweet aka Italian basil is the most popular herb ever, however its also unfortunately really trick to grow in Miami! Italian basil is notorious for getting “downey mildew” in all climates, but mildews are harder to control and manage in humid areas like Miami. We grow a new downey mildew resistant variety developed by Rutgers University but even that isn’t a guarantee that you’ll be able to avoid getting mildew on your plants because of how intensely humid it is here. To increase your changes of success make sure your plant is in well draining soil and gets LOTS OF SUN and airflow. Don’t water your whole plant from above but rather water just the soil and allow it to dry out between waterings. Harvest whole branches about 6” down, just above the new growing tips at the leaf joint, so that those new growing tips can produce the next harvests crop of leaves.
“Basil leaf miner” is the second most prevalent pest amongst basil plants. It makes a black splotch with a white and brown ring around it in each leaf of the plant. This is caused by a fly landing on your leaf and laying its egg in-between the membranes of the leaf. Unfortunately no amount of spraying of organic pesticides will treat this problem, as the bug is long gone by the time you see the damage. Pluck off and throw away damaged leaves to try and minimize the population of flies in your garden. If it persists consider giving up on basil for the time being.
If you must have Italian Genovese basil in your garden but you’ve struggled with pests in the past we suggest buying a seed packet and growing lots of basil plants almost like micro greens where you harvest the entire plant super early in its life stage (like 3 - 4 weeks old) and then replant new seeds.
Delivery Details
Delivery Details
When you place your order we head into our greenhouse to select the very best plants we have in stock for your garden. We label them with handwritten compostable wooden labels and pack them in recyclable boxes to keep them safe on their journey. Our delivery partners, Roadie, take it from there and head to the Redlands to pick up your order. Communication and tracking take place via Roadie and your driver will leave your plants in a safe and covered area.
Plant Care
Plant Care
When your plant delivery arrives, make sure you water your new plants thoroughly with a light spray of water (none of this thumb over the hose stuff). We recommend planting them within 10 days of receiving them. If you do intent to wait to plant them, we recommend placing them in a shallow reservoir (like a baking pan) and filling it with half an inch of water so they can drink the water from below while you are at work and place them in an area with plenty of sun. When planting in your garden always add a dash of Organic granular fertilizer, and give them extra water during their first week in their new home, while they adjust. We recommend disturbing the root ball as little as possible during planting.
About Our Plants
About Our Plants
All of our plants are grown in OMRI certified Organic materials (potting mix, fertilizer, seeds, etc.) and include Organic granular fertilizer, living locally-made compost, and have been cared for with healthy microorganisms from compost tea and microbial inoculants. We only use organic pesticides when needed. We only stock varieties that we have experience growing and that are season and climate appropriate for South Florida. Our curated inventory is simple enough for a beginner and interesting enough to keep an advanced gardeners attention, with new and rare varieties being added weekly.
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Clients Love Us
"Smooth, seamless experience. Professional packaging and delivery. I have two healthy plants... life is good."
"What a wonderful experience. Great customer service, and so helpful with all my questions and very accommodating. Would definitely recommend and will be buying again in the future."
“Healthy foliage when this plant arrived, and pushed out a bloom less than two weeks after being planted. Excellent!”
"As always, awesome customer service, large healthy plants!! Thank you so much!!"
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Two new names, one guiding vision; to empower people through food and ecology. For more information on our garden installation services visit the Little River Gardens website.