Basil

Italian Pesto

Lamiaceae

Spacing1 per sq ft

Days to Harvest60d

Expected YieldContinuous harvest June-September

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Variety History

Italian Pesto is a large-leaf Genovese-type basil bred for high essential oil content. The classic pesto basil.

Regional Context

Basil needs 70 degree F+ soil to germinate and only goes outside after Memorial Day on Bainbridge. Start indoors now, 6-8 weeks before transplant, same window as tomatoes.

Growing Technique

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Transplant 1 per sq ft after soil warms. Pinch tops regularly to keep plants bushy. Remove flowers the moment they appear -- flowering ends leaf production. Harvest on sunny mornings after dew dries. Make pesto in batches; freezes well in ice cube trays.

Watch For

Transplanting into cold soil (below 60 degree F) stunts basil permanently. Wait. It is better to transplant a week late than a week early.