Basil SeedHSC-BAS-006-PKT

Dark Opal Basil Seed — hands support dark opal pot

Dark Opal Basil Seed — dark opal leaf detail

Dark Opal Basil Seed — dark opal basil fresh cut sprigs

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Ocimum basilicum

70Days to maturity

A seed worth growing

Dark Opal Basil Seed

Item #HSC-BAS-006-PKT

A fast-growing red basil and AAS winner.

Dark Opal forms slightly ruffled plants, mostly purple, with about 10% variegated or green plants for contrast. Leaves reach 1½–3" at full size.

Its red foliage and purple blooms are handsome as garnish and in cut-flower bunches. An All-America Selections winner. The flowers are edible too, with a strong basil flavor; use them like the leaves or as a garnish for drinks, salads and pasta.

Plants reach 16–18"; ready to start cutting about 70 days from sowing. Open-pollinated.

Specs

Packet: 200 seeds
Average 21,800 seeds per oz.
Plant height: 16–18"

In stock — Packet

$5.25

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Know before you sow

Quick Facts

Latin Name: Ocimum basilicum
Days To Maturity: 70 days
Life Cycle: Annual
Hybrid Status: Open Pollinated
Product Features

Growing times vary with weather, soil and local conditions.

Growing guide

From seed to harvest

Sow in warmth

Direct sow 1/4" deep in warm soil after frost, or start indoors 6 weeks ahead at about 70°F.

Spacing

Thin or plant 4–8" apart in rows about 18" apart, in full sun and moderately rich soil.

Water steadily

Basil dislikes drought and heat stress; keep the soil evenly moist.

Harvest

Pick lightly in the cool of the morning; before flowering, cut plants back to 4–6" for regrowth. Store above 50°F.

Growing Information

Days to germination

5–10 days at 65–70°F (18–21°C).

Direct sowing (recommended)

Drop 2–3 seeds per inch, 1/4" deep, with 18" between rows, then press the soil down gently. You can skip thinning, though plants left 4–8" apart become fuller and healthier. Holy basil needs a little light to sprout, so cover it more thinly than other kinds.

Transplanting

Start seed inside 6 weeks ahead of planting out, 1/4" deep, held near 70°F (21°C) for even sprouting. Move seedlings outside once they carry 3–4 pairs of leaves, setting them 4–8" apart with 18" between rows.

Light

Full sun.

Soil and water

Fairly fertile ground that stays evenly moist. Basil suffers in drought and hot, stressful spells, so keep watering steadily all season.

Plant height

16–18".

Plant spacing

4–8".

Hardiness

Grown as an annual.

Harvest

Once plants are growing well, begin taking a few sprigs, preferably in the cool early morning when the leaves hold up best. Just before the plants bloom, take a full cut, leaving stems 4–6" high so they sprout again. The leaves bruise at a touch, so handle them gently, and keep cut basil warmer than 50°F (10°C).

Pelleted seed

Keep the soil evenly moist while pelleted seed germinates. Store pelleted seed cool and dry, and use it within a year of purchase.

Scientific name

Ocimum basilicum

Packet

200 seeds.

Seeds per oz.

About 21,800 on average.

Satisfaction Guarantee

We want every packet you buy from Hensley’s Seed Co. to grow well for you.

If anything you order from us doesn’t meet your expectations, just let us know and we’ll replace it or refund what you paid.

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