Basil

Basic Information

Seed Number

44

Seed Name

Basil

Variety

Sweet Italian

Category

Herb

Plant Family

Lamiaceae

Plant Type

Sweet Italian basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 24

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jul 15

Plantable Months

March, April, May, June, July

Indoor Start

Mar 24 – Apr 7

Direct Sow

May 19 – Jul 15

Transplant

May 19 – Jun 15

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

6 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

2 weeks

Germination Days

5–10 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

21 days

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

65-70°F

Planting Depth

1/4 in

Plant Spacing

4-8 in

Row Spacing

18 in

Thin-To Spacing

4-8 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Keep consistently moist; basil is not drought tolerant

Soil Preference

Moderately rich, moist, well-drained soil

Minimum Container Size

1 gal

Plant Height

18-30 in

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

No

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors or direct sow after frost
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 20 – Jul 15
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 60–75 days
Pollinator Friendly: Yes if allowed to flower
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary/herbal
Succession / Reusable Notes: Pinch often; succession sow for fresh basil.
Zone 6B Notes: Very frost sensitive.
Companion Plants: Tomatoes, peppers, oregano, parsley, marigolds, calendula
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Rue, sage crowded close
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Basil is very frost-sensitive. In Southeast Michigan, wait until after the May 5 frost date and preferably until nights and soil are consistently warm before direct sowing or transplanting.
Germination: Germinates in approximately 5-10 days at 65-70°F. Maintain about 70°F for indoor starts.
Harvest: Begin light harvesting after plants become established. Pinching regularly encourages branching. For a full harvest, cut just before flowering for best leaf quality.
Seed Saving: Allow selected flower spikes to mature and turn brown before collecting seed. Basil varieties can cross through insect pollination, so isolation is needed for pure seed.
Special Care: Basil can suffer heat stress despite being a warm-season crop and requires regular moisture. Do not expose plants to frost or prolonged cold.
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/herbs/basil/basil-key-growing-information.html — germination, soil temperature, sowing depth, 6-week indoor start, spacing, soil, drought sensitivity and harvest
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]