Basil Seeds,
Blue Spice

Grow Blue Spice basil during the warm season, as it is highly sensitive to frost. Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date to get a head start, or sow them directly outdoors once the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Check your local area’s frost dates to determine the best planting time. Learn about your area’s hardiness zones and first/last frost dates in our blog post ‘Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

Sow Blue Spice basil seeds on the soil surface, as they need light to germinate. Indoors, use a seed-starting mix and press the seeds lightly into the soil without covering them. Keep the soil moist and maintain a temperature of 70 to 85°F. Germination takes about 6 to 10 days. For outdoor sowing, prepare a sunny, well-drained garden bed, scatter seeds thinly, and press them lightly into the soil. Once seedlings are established, thin or transplant them to 8 to 12 inches apart for proper airflow and growth.

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and apply a layer of organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Fertilize lightly with a balanced organic fertilizer every couple of weeks for healthier growth. Regularly pinch off growing tips to encourage bushier growth and delay flowering. Although the lavender flowers are ornamental and attract pollinators, allowing the plant to flower will reduce leaf production and flavor, so remove flower buds for a continuous harvest of leaves.

• Flower heads mature progressively from the bottom of the stem to the top.
• When the bottom seed head starts to turn brown, the stem can be cut and allowed to dry away from direct sun in a well-ventilated area.
• Rub dried raceme over a fine wire mesh and winnow off the chaff.
• Place chaff in a bowl and carefully swirl contents around. Seeds will gather at the bottom of the bowl.
• Tip the bowl so that the chaff can be discarded and blow the rest out carefully.