{"product_id":"sweet-genovese-basil-seed-packet","title":"Sweet Genovese Basil Seed Packet","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eSweet Genovese Basil\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eOcimum Basilicum\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eSouthern Exposure Seed Exchange\u003cbr\u003e110 seeds per packet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003edays to maturity: 65 days\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eplant spacing: 1-3 plants per square foot\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003esunlight requirements: 6-14 hours\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003elook out for: Downey mildew and basil leaf miners\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eharvest notes: harvest whole branches 6” down\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eannual\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eGenovese 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e“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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eIf 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Little River Cooperative","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32774278053970,"sku":"SEED040","price":4.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0535\/4461\/products\/SESE-genoveselettuce.jpg?v=1600279562","url":"https:\/\/littlerivernursery.co\/products\/sweet-genovese-basil-seed-packet","provider":"Little River Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}