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Basil - Italiano Classico (13-2)

$5.00 - $40.00

Italian Classic Basil. This sweet Genovese basil is our most popular variety. It is the same strain that made pesto famous worldwide. (Our Italian supplier, Franchi Seeds, calls it Italian Classic rather than Genovese because the region of Genoa got an Indicazione Geografica Protetta (IGP) trademark that limits the use of the name Genovese to basil grown in a certain area of Liguria; however, the seed is grown elsewhere in Italy and so cannot have the name Genovese within Italy. )

Whatever this basil is called, it's the best. This is the classic basil used for sauces, pesto, pizza, and just about everything else. Leaves are soft and fragrant with a delicious taste.

The seed count in a pack is enormous -- about 4,800 seeds. Why so much seed? Because in Italy, people like to pick basil very young, so they seed it repeatedly and just pull the entire plants when they are about 5-6 inches tall. In the U.S., most people grow a few plants and pick from them all summer long, so a packet of seeds lasts a long time. Basil seed, if kept cool and dry (but not in the refrigerator) will remain viable for up to 5 years. Try one of our seed storage tins for keeping extra seed.

Basil has approximately 600-650 seeds per gram.

 

FUSARIUM FREE - TESTED.

To see our growing guide for basil, click here.

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Description

Italian Classic Basil. This sweet Genovese basil is our most popular variety. It is the same strain that made pesto famous worldwide. (Our Italian supplier, Franchi Seeds, calls it Italian Classic rather than Genovese because the region of Genoa got an Indicazione Geografica Protetta (IGP) trademark that limits the use of the name Genovese to basil grown in a certain area of Liguria; however, the seed is grown elsewhere in Italy and so cannot have the name Genovese within Italy. )

Whatever this basil is called, it's the best. This is the classic basil used for sauces, pesto, pizza, and just about everything else. Leaves are soft and fragrant with a delicious taste.

The seed count in a pack is enormous -- about 4,800 seeds. Why so much seed? Because in Italy, people like to pick basil very young, so they seed it repeatedly and just pull the entire plants when they are about 5-6 inches tall. In the U.S., most people grow a few plants and pick from them all summer long, so a packet of seeds lasts a long time. Basil seed, if kept cool and dry (but not in the refrigerator) will remain viable for up to 5 years. Try one of our seed storage tins for keeping extra seed.

Basil has approximately 600-650 seeds per gram.

 

FUSARIUM FREE - TESTED.

To see our growing guide for basil, click here.

Reviews (11)

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Perfect for aroma and flavor! Use in place of lettuce on a ham or bacon sandwich! Perfect pesto too! Refreshing with white cheeses! Rapid and complete germination.
Posted by Jim on 2nd Aug 2017

Great harvest
Posted by Joann Young on 2nd Aug 2017

From the reviews already posted, lots of us agree this basil classico is the absolute best for germination rate, taste, bug resistance and overall excellence. Love the Franchi seeds.
Posted by Suzie Mendelson on 28th Jul 2017