Culinary Blend Basil Seeds — Heirloom Organic | Genovese, Lemon, Lime, Dark Opal & Thai/Persian in One Packet | 60–90 Days

Ocimum basilicum — Five of the most useful and distinct basil varieties in a single open-pollinated blend — sweet, citrus, purple, and spiced, covering every culinary application from Italian to Thai to Middle Eastern. Genovese for classic pesto and caprese; Lemon and Lime for bright citrus notes in seafood, cocktails, and desserts; Dark Opal for striking purple color and anise-spiced depth; Thai/Persian for Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern cooking. Warm-season annual. 0.6 g / 100+ seeds per packet. 60–90 days.

Five Basils, One Packet — What's in the Blend

• Genovese — the classic Italian sweet basil; large, glossy leaves with rich, sweet flavor; the definitive pesto basil
• Lemon Basil — bright citrus-lemon aroma and flavor; outstanding with seafood, in salad dressings, and in cocktails and lemonades
• Lime Basil — fresh lime zest flavor; excellent in Thai dishes, fruit salads, and tropical drinks
• Dark Opal — deep purple-black leaves with a spiced, anise-forward flavor; stunning as a garnish and in herb vinegars
• Thai / Persian Basil — spicy, anise-clove flavor; essential for Thai curries, pho, and Persian herb platters (sabzi khordan)

As one of our gardeners notes: "Successive plantings, especially in regions with a long, mild growing season, are a good way to keep production up over the whole season. Some strains seem to ‘peter out’ a bit in August, but others are just hitting their stride."

Why Grow Culinary Blend?

• Five distinct varieties — sweet, citrus, purple, and spiced basil- covering Italian, Thai, Middle Eastern, and fusion applications
• One sowing, multiple harvests — succession sow every 3–4 weeks for continuous production across the season
• Cut-and-come-again — prune before flowering to keep plants producing fresh leaves all season
• Container-friendly — all five types thrive in pots, window boxes, and raised beds
• 300+ seeds per packet — enough for multiple succession sowings or a full kitchen garden bed
• Organic, open-pollinated heirloom — save seed from your favorites year after year

In the Kitchen

• Pesto (Genovese): Blend with pine nuts, parmesan, garlic, and olive oil — the classic; freeze in ice cube trays for year-round use
• Caprese (Genovese): Layer with fresh mozzarella, tomato, and olive oil
• Seafood & cocktails (Lemon/Lime): Add to grilled fish, ceviche, fruit salads, gin cocktails, and lemonades
• Thai curries & pho (Thai/Persian): Add whole leaves to curries, stir-fries, and noodle soups at the finish
• Herb vinegar (Dark Opal): Steep in white wine vinegar for a stunning deep-pink infusion; use in dressings and marinades
• Drying & freezing: Harvest before flowering; dry or freeze for year-round use — make final harvest before temperatures drop below 40°F

Growing Notes

• Season: Warm-season annual; does not tolerate frost or temperatures below 40°F
• Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before last frost; sow 4–6 seeds ¼ inch deep per cell.
• Direct sow: After last frost, when soil is warm; 3–4 inches apart, ¼ inch deep
• Thin to: 1–2 plants per pot or every 9–12 inches in the garden as true leaves establish
• Light: Full sun; minimum 6 hours direct sun for best flavor and growth
• Soil: Moderately moist, well-drained; pH 6.0–7.0
• Pruning: Remove top sets of leaves before flowers form; leave at least 3 sets of leaves on lower stems; follow with liquid nitrogen fertilizer to speed recovery
• Successional sowing: Every 3–4 weeks for continuous harvest across the season

Packed and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden's success.