ProEasy Basil Seeds
A Full-bodied Genovese Type!
Great disease resistance and unbeatable vigor mean big yields!
- Genus: Ocimum
- Species: basilicum
- Variety: ProEasy
- Item Form: (P) Pkt of 1000 seeds
- Days to Maturity: 65
- Fruit Color: Green
- Habit: Compact
- Seeds Per Pack: 1000
- Plant Height: 18 in - 24 in
- Plant Width: 12 in - 15 in
- Additional Characteristics: Tomato aids, Cut-and-Come-Again, Easy Care Plants, Edible, Fragrance, Herbs, Pest Fighter
- Foliage Color: Dark Green
- Harvest Season: Early Summer, Late Summer, Mid Summer
- Light Requirements: Full Sun
- Moisture Requirements: Moist, well-drained
- Resistance: Botrytis, Disease Resistant, Fusarium Wilt Races 1 & 2, Heat Tolerant, Pest Resistant
- Soil Tolerance: Normal, loamy
- Uses: Beds, Containers, Cuisine, Foliage Interest
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This large-leafed Italian basil is part of the ProEasy Herb series found exclusively here at Park Seed. A premier variety originally developed for professional growers, ProEasy Basil is also uniquely suited to home gardeners who want to harvest big, exceptionally flavorful crops in a minimum of space. Compact enough for containers, it is superbly disease-resistant and vigorous, bringing you generous yields every time.
This open-pollinated, untreated seed has none of the chemicals found in some commercially grown hybrids. All-natural, it's simply the best for your home garden. Like all the ProEasy Herbs, it was selected according to very specific criteria:
* Strong, rich flavor
* Ease of growth in the home garden
* Ease of harvest
* High germination rate
* Superb disease tolerance/resistance
* Great color
* Uniform plant size
* Open-pollinated, untreated seed.
ProEasy Basil is a Genovese variety with large, glossy leaves packed with rich flavor. The best for pesto, it has the ability to hold its flavor and texture longer than most others after harvest. And there is always a bumper crop, thanks to natural resistance to fusarium and botrytis, two scourges of many other basil varieties.
Begin the seeds either indoors in late winter or direct-sow in spring. To start indoors, sow about 6 to 8 weeks before last scheduled frost. The seeds will germinate in 5 to 10 days. Transplant when they have 2 sets of true leaves, spacing the plants 12 to 15 inches apart in the garden, or in your best containers. If you are direct-sowing, wait until the soil has thoroughly warmed up in spring. Then cover the seeds with about ¼-inch of soil, and thin the young plants to 12 to 15 inches apart when they are about 2 inches tall.
As your basil plants grow, pinch off the central stem when they are about 6 weeks old, and prune back each stem when it has more than 8 sets of leaves. (Cut it back to the first or second set of leaves, harvesting the rest.) If you keep your plants well pinched and pruned, you should be able to harvest two-thirds to three-fourths of a cup of fresh leaves every week during the growing season! ProEasy is serious about its production!
Basil loves hot weather and plenty of sunshine, but it needs consistently moist, rich soil. Mulch the plants to retain moisture, water heavily during dry spells, and harvest the plant before the cold weather sets in. Freeze entire stems, with the leaves still attached, for best flavor retention, or dry the leaves for seasoning.
In this packet you get 1,000 seeds, enough for your vegetable patch, herb garden, parterre, and kitchen flowerpots! When you're serious about growing a big basil crop of the absolute highest quality, rely on ProEasy!
Basil is a sun-loving annual herb that is among the most popular in the world for flavoring food. Native to Asia, it was carried from India to Egypt to Greece in the ancient world, and remains a mainstay of cuisine in many cultures. In the garden, it is often grown alongside tomatoes, and is considered a guard plant protecting veggies and flowering plants from some predators.
Choosing a Variety
Selecting which basil to grow is the most difficult part of gardening with this scrumptious herb! Most have green leaves and either pink or purple blooms, though some sport purple-toned foliage. We recommend that for growing indoors, you select dwarf varieties. There are many delectable choices:
Sweet Basil - Used in French, Italian, Greek, and other Mediterranean cuisines, these varieties are mildly flavored yet strongly aromatic, an irresistible combination! Nufar Hybrid is a Genovese type that resists fusarium wilt, making it one of the easiest to grow. Large Leaf Italian is among the most popular for fresh or dried use. And Pistou is a very compact French variety with a sweet, mild bite.
Spicy Basil - A mainstay of Oriental cuisine, these varieties pack a stronger, spicier bite than their sweet cousins. AAS winner Thai Siam Queen delivers zingy flavor on extra-large plants that produce very heavily, while unusual Cinnamon uniquely combines the sweet with the spicy!
Citrus Basil - Combining lemon or lime flavors with traditional basil flavor makes a superb addition to drinks and desserts! One of our favorites is Mrs. Burns' Lemon, an heirloom variety from New Mexico with lip-puckering intensity. Lime is indispensable for Thai cuisine, and its dwarf habit makes it a must-have in the indoor kitchen garden.
Can't decide where to begin? We recommend that you save money with our sampler platter -- the Culinary Collection! You'll get a packet each of 4 of our very best: one Genovese, one French, one lemon, and one purple-leaf!
When to Start
To grow basil indoors, sow the seeds at any time of year. To grow in the garden, begin seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before anticipated transplant date. Transplant the seedlings or sow seeds directly into the soil only when daytime temperatures are in the 70's and nighttime temps remain above 50°F.
How to Start
Drop one seed into each bio sponge of your Bio Dome, or sow on top of a seed flat and lightly cover with vermiculite. Germination occurs in 5 to 15 days at any temperature between 65 and 85°F. Transplant the seedlings anytime after they have 2 sets of true leaves.
Special Considerations
- Harvest basil as you need it, taking leaves from the top of the plant first. Try not to harvest more often than once a week.
- To dry the leaves for seasoning, cut the entire plant at soil level, turn it upsidedown, and hang it in a warm, dry room for about a week. Then strip the leaves from the stems and store them in an airtight container for up to a year. Do not crumble them until ready to use.
- When adding basil to cooked dishes, wait until just before serving for the strongest flavor and best texture.
Growing Tips
- Basil loves hot weather and needs consistently moist, rich soil for best growth. Give it 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day outdoors, and a good dose of fluorescents or plant lights every day indoors.
- As flower buds arise, pinch them off. Flowering will stop the foliage growth and dilute the flavor of the leaves.
Pests and Problems to Watch For
Outdoors, slugs and beetles can nibble the leaves. Using a sharp mulch will discourage their approach.
Indoors, aphids can become a problem. Check the undersides of new leaves very carefully for signs of these tiny white creatures, and spray leaves on both sides to keep them clean.
Which plants should I grow to repel insects?
Many of the herbs will repel insects. Pennyroyal repels fleas and other insects. Pyrethrum repels moths, flies, ants, mosquitoes, cockroaches, mites, and bedbugs. Mint repels flies, fleas, and ants. Lavender repels flies, silverfish, and fleas. Catnip can repel mosquitoes. Thyme repels insects. Lemon Grass repels mosquitoes. Basil repels flies and mosquitoes. Sage repels a variety of insects. Chrysanthemum, grown for its beautiful flowers and for the extraction of pyrethrin (an organic insecticide), repels flies, beetles, mosquitoes, roaches, lice, and fleas.
Which plants should I grow to repel rabbits and deer?
Planting garlic, onions, chives, lavender, rosemary, and sage around rabbit-susceptible plants will repel rabbits. Deer repellent plants include: lavender, onion, catnip, sage, chives, garlic, spearmint, and thyme. Be sure to strategically place these repellent plants around and in between rabbit and deer-susceptible plants. Also, place some along the property line and especially at key points the rabbits and deer are using as entryways, which can even deter them from coming onto your property.
Which of your plants offered are deer resistant?
Perennials that are deer resistant include: Asclepias, Aster, Baptisia, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Digitalis, Echinacea, Gaillardia, Heuchera, Hibiscus, Malva, Monarda, Oriental Poppy, Platycodon, Peony, Rudbeckia, Salvia, Sedum, and Tricyrtis. Shrubs include: Buddleia, Buxus, Cotoneaster, Daphne, Forsythia, Fothergilla, Hibiscus (Rose of Sharon), Potentilla, Spiraea, Syringa, and Viburnum. Vines include: Clematis, Honeysuckle, Campsis, Wisteria, and Climbing Hydrangea. Trees include: Acer (Maple), Cercis (Redbud), Corylus, Fagus (Beech), Magnolia, Ginkgo, Mulberry, Spruce, and Salix (Willow).
If you are fortunate enough to grow a large vegetable patch, participate in a neighborhood or community garden, or work a farm, Park's bulk vegetable seed is the perfect product at a terrific price! We've taken some of our most popular and delicious varieties and packaged them in larger quantities. And what we save in sorting, storing, and packaging expenses, we pass along to you! So choose your favorites and best wishes for a productive and tasty harvest this season!
Note: These seed counts are estimates. The actual number of seeds per ounce/pound may vary slightly.
| Corn | Beans | Peas | Beets | Onions | |||
| (P) Pkt * | 200 | 100 | 160 | (P) Pkt * | 200 | 200 | |
| (M) 1/4 lb | 575 | 275 | 375 | (G) 1/4 oz | 450 | 2000 | |
| (N) 1/2 lb | 1150 | 550 | 750 | (H) 1/2 oz | 900 | 4000 | |
| (L) 1 lb | 2300 | 1100 | 1500 | (J) 1 oz | 1800 | 8000 | |
| (R) 2 lbs | 4600 | 2200 | 3000 | (K) 2 oz | 3600 | 16000 | |
| (S) 5 lbs | 11500 | 5500 | 7500 |
* A few varieties may have a different (P) Pkt seed count than the quantity listed; check the specific variety's description for the number of seeds per pkt.
This large-leafed Italian basil is part of the ProEasy Herb series found exclusively here at Park Seed. A premier variety originally developed for professional growers, ProEasy Basil is also uniquely suited to home gardeners who want to harvest big, exceptionally flavorful crops in a minimum of space. Compact enough for containers, it is superbly disease-resistant and vigorous, bringing you generous yields every time.
This open-pollinated, untreated seed has none of the chemicals found in some commercially grown hybrids. All-natural, it's simply the best for your home garden. Like all the ProEasy Herbs, it was selected according to very specific criteria:
* Strong, rich flavor
* Ease of growth in the home garden
* Ease of harvest
* High germination rate
* Superb disease tolerance/resistance
* Great color
* Uniform plant size
* Open-pollinated, untreated seed.
ProEasy Basil is a Genovese variety with large, glossy leaves packed with rich flavor. The best for pesto, it has the ability to hold its flavor and texture longer than most others after harvest. And there is always a bumper crop, thanks to natural resistance to fusarium and botrytis, two scourges of many other basil varieties.
Begin the seeds either indoors in late winter or direct-sow in spring. To start indoors, sow about 6 to 8 weeks before last scheduled frost. The seeds will germinate in 5 to 10 days. Transplant when they have 2 sets of true leaves, spacing the plants 12 to 15 inches apart in the garden, or in your best containers. If you are direct-sowing, wait until the soil has thoroughly warmed up in spring. Then cover the seeds with about ¼-inch of soil, and thin the young plants to 12 to 15 inches apart when they are about 2 inches tall.
As your basil plants grow, pinch off the central stem when they are about 6 weeks old, and prune back each stem when it has more than 8 sets of leaves. (Cut it back to the first or second set of leaves, harvesting the rest.) If you keep your plants well pinched and pruned, you should be able to harvest two-thirds to three-fourths of a cup of fresh leaves every week during the growing season! ProEasy is serious about its production!
Basil loves hot weather and plenty of sunshine, but it needs consistently moist, rich soil. Mulch the plants to retain moisture, water heavily during dry spells, and harvest the plant before the cold weather sets in. Freeze entire stems, with the leaves still attached, for best flavor retention, or dry the leaves for seasoning.
In this packet you get 1,000 seeds, enough for your vegetable patch, herb garden, parterre, and kitchen flowerpots! When you're serious about growing a big basil crop of the absolute highest quality, rely on ProEasy!
Basil is a sun-loving annual herb that is among the most popular in the world for flavoring food. Native to Asia, it was carried from India to Egypt to Greece in the ancient world, and remains a mainstay of cuisine in many cultures. In the garden, it is often grown alongside tomatoes, and is considered a guard plant protecting veggies and flowering plants from some predators.
Choosing a Variety
Selecting which basil to grow is the most difficult part of gardening with this scrumptious herb! Most have green leaves and either pink or purple blooms, though some sport purple-toned foliage. We recommend that for growing indoors, you select dwarf varieties. There are many delectable choices:
Sweet Basil - Used in French, Italian, Greek, and other Mediterranean cuisines, these varieties are mildly flavored yet strongly aromatic, an irresistible combination! Nufar Hybrid is a Genovese type that resists fusarium wilt, making it one of the easiest to grow. Large Leaf Italian is among the most popular for fresh or dried use. And Pistou is a very compact French variety with a sweet, mild bite.
Spicy Basil - A mainstay of Oriental cuisine, these varieties pack a stronger, spicier bite than their sweet cousins. AAS winner Thai Siam Queen delivers zingy flavor on extra-large plants that produce very heavily, while unusual Cinnamon uniquely combines the sweet with the spicy!
Citrus Basil - Combining lemon or lime flavors with traditional basil flavor makes a superb addition to drinks and desserts! One of our favorites is Mrs. Burns' Lemon, an heirloom variety from New Mexico with lip-puckering intensity. Lime is indispensable for Thai cuisine, and its dwarf habit makes it a must-have in the indoor kitchen garden.
Can't decide where to begin? We recommend that you save money with our sampler platter -- the Culinary Collection! You'll get a packet each of 4 of our very best: one Genovese, one French, one lemon, and one purple-leaf!
When to Start
To grow basil indoors, sow the seeds at any time of year. To grow in the garden, begin seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before anticipated transplant date. Transplant the seedlings or sow seeds directly into the soil only when daytime temperatures are in the 70's and nighttime temps remain above 50°F.
How to Start
Drop one seed into each bio sponge of your Bio Dome, or sow on top of a seed flat and lightly cover with vermiculite. Germination occurs in 5 to 15 days at any temperature between 65 and 85°F. Transplant the seedlings anytime after they have 2 sets of true leaves.
Special Considerations
- Harvest basil as you need it, taking leaves from the top of the plant first. Try not to harvest more often than once a week.
- To dry the leaves for seasoning, cut the entire plant at soil level, turn it upsidedown, and hang it in a warm, dry room for about a week. Then strip the leaves from the stems and store them in an airtight container for up to a year. Do not crumble them until ready to use.
- When adding basil to cooked dishes, wait until just before serving for the strongest flavor and best texture.
Growing Tips
- Basil loves hot weather and needs consistently moist, rich soil for best growth. Give it 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day outdoors, and a good dose of fluorescents or plant lights every day indoors.
- As flower buds arise, pinch them off. Flowering will stop the foliage growth and dilute the flavor of the leaves.
Pests and Problems to Watch For
Outdoors, slugs and beetles can nibble the leaves. Using a sharp mulch will discourage their approach.
Indoors, aphids can become a problem. Check the undersides of new leaves very carefully for signs of these tiny white creatures, and spray leaves on both sides to keep them clean.
Which plants should I grow to repel insects?
Many of the herbs will repel insects. Pennyroyal repels fleas and other insects. Pyrethrum repels moths, flies, ants, mosquitoes, cockroaches, mites, and bedbugs. Mint repels flies, fleas, and ants. Lavender repels flies, silverfish, and fleas. Catnip can repel mosquitoes. Thyme repels insects. Lemon Grass repels mosquitoes. Basil repels flies and mosquitoes. Sage repels a variety of insects. Chrysanthemum, grown for its beautiful flowers and for the extraction of pyrethrin (an organic insecticide), repels flies, beetles, mosquitoes, roaches, lice, and fleas.
Which plants should I grow to repel rabbits and deer?
Planting garlic, onions, chives, lavender, rosemary, and sage around rabbit-susceptible plants will repel rabbits. Deer repellent plants include: lavender, onion, catnip, sage, chives, garlic, spearmint, and thyme. Be sure to strategically place these repellent plants around and in between rabbit and deer-susceptible plants. Also, place some along the property line and especially at key points the rabbits and deer are using as entryways, which can even deter them from coming onto your property.
Which of your plants offered are deer resistant?
Perennials that are deer resistant include: Asclepias, Aster, Baptisia, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Digitalis, Echinacea, Gaillardia, Heuchera, Hibiscus, Malva, Monarda, Oriental Poppy, Platycodon, Peony, Rudbeckia, Salvia, Sedum, and Tricyrtis. Shrubs include: Buddleia, Buxus, Cotoneaster, Daphne, Forsythia, Fothergilla, Hibiscus (Rose of Sharon), Potentilla, Spiraea, Syringa, and Viburnum. Vines include: Clematis, Honeysuckle, Campsis, Wisteria, and Climbing Hydrangea. Trees include: Acer (Maple), Cercis (Redbud), Corylus, Fagus (Beech), Magnolia, Ginkgo, Mulberry, Spruce, and Salix (Willow).
If you are fortunate enough to grow a large vegetable patch, participate in a neighborhood or community garden, or work a farm, Park's bulk vegetable seed is the perfect product at a terrific price! We've taken some of our most popular and delicious varieties and packaged them in larger quantities. And what we save in sorting, storing, and packaging expenses, we pass along to you! So choose your favorites and best wishes for a productive and tasty harvest this season!
Note: These seed counts are estimates. The actual number of seeds per ounce/pound may vary slightly.
| Corn | Beans | Peas | Beets | Onions | |||
| (P) Pkt * | 200 | 100 | 160 | (P) Pkt * | 200 | 200 | |
| (M) 1/4 lb | 575 | 275 | 375 | (G) 1/4 oz | 450 | 2000 | |
| (N) 1/2 lb | 1150 | 550 | 750 | (H) 1/2 oz | 900 | 4000 | |
| (L) 1 lb | 2300 | 1100 | 1500 | (J) 1 oz | 1800 | 8000 | |
| (R) 2 lbs | 4600 | 2200 | 3000 | (K) 2 oz | 3600 | 16000 | |
| (S) 5 lbs | 11500 | 5500 | 7500 |
* A few varieties may have a different (P) Pkt seed count than the quantity listed; check the specific variety's description for the number of seeds per pkt.