Basil Seeds,
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Plant after all risk of frost has passed, and nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50 F. This is typically late spring or early summer, depending on your location. Wait for the weather to get warm before transplanting seedlings outdoors. Basil thrives in temperatures ranging from 70-85 F. Check your local region's frost dates to determine the best planting time for your area. If you're not sure how to do it, take a look at our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

Start basil seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last frost date. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in a well-draining seed-starting mix, keeping the soil moist and maintaining a temperature of 70-85 F. Transplant seedlings outdoors once the weather is consistently warm. Space plants 8-12 inches apart in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. In long-summer regions, you can also direct sow the seeds. For optimal growth, provide consistent moisture and avoid letting the soil dry out completely.

Water regularly at the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry and prevent fungal issues. Mulching around the plants can help retain soil moisture and reduce weed competition. To keep your basil productive, pinch off flower buds as soon as they appear. Removing flower spikes in early summer will allow the plant to grow more vigorously. Regularly harvesting leaves encourages new growth and maintains the plant's bushy shape.

• 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.