{"product_id":"herb-basil-pesto-italian-large-leaf-500-non-gmo-heirloom-seeds","title":"Herb Basil Pesto Italian Large Leaf 500 Non-GMO, Heirloom Seeds","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(11, 71, 31);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHerb Basil Pesto Italian Large Leaf\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e brings classic Italian flavor to your herb garden with an impressive twist — leaves reaching up to 4 inches long, delivering a sweeter and milder aromatic profile than traditional Genovese basil. This beloved heirloom variety is prized for its generous leaf size, making harvesting efficient and presentation exceptional. Perfect for crafting authentic pesto, Caprese salads, infused oils, and fresh sauces, Italian Large Leaf thrives in warm-season gardens and responds beautifully to regular pinching for continuous, bushy growth throughout the season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(6, 63, 3);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination Rate: 85%. Test Date: 8\/25. OSI.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Choose Pesto Italian Large Leaf Basil?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExceptional Leaf Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Leaves reach up to 4 inches long — larger than Genovese — making each harvest more efficient and visually stunning in culinary presentation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSweeter, Milder Flavor:\u003c\/strong\u003e A slightly sweeter and milder aromatic profile than Genovese, making it accessible and versatile across a wide range of dishes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProlific Producer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Responds vigorously to regular pinching, producing continuous flushes of large, harvestable leaves all season long.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeirloom Quality:\u003c\/strong\u003e Open-pollinated and passed down for at least 75 years — save seeds year after year for consistent results.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNon-GMO:\u003c\/strong\u003e DNA structure never altered from natural traditional breeding methods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEasy to Grow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Forgiving of small mistakes; thrives with basic gardening tools and common sense.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePlanting Tips for Success\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun — at least 6–8 hours daily. Warmth and light are essential for developing the large leaf size and signature sweet aroma.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Amend with compost for best results.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Start indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost date, or direct sow outdoors once soil reaches 60°F+. Do not transplant until nighttime temps are consistently above 50°F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Space plants 12–18 inches apart to encourage bushy, full growth and good air circulation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water at the base of plants; avoid wetting leaves to prevent fungal issues. Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Feed lightly with a balanced fertilizer monthly. Over-fertilizing reduces essential oil concentration and the variety’s characteristic sweetness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSupport:\u003c\/strong\u003e No staking needed; regular pinching of flower buds keeps plants productive and prevents early bolting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvesting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Begin harvesting when plants reach 6–8 inches tall. Always pinch from the top above a leaf node. Remove flower buds immediately to extend harvest season and prevent bitterness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Choose David's Garden Seeds®?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVeteran-Owned:\u003c\/strong\u003e Supplying premium seeds since 2009.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGO TEXAN Certified:\u003c\/strong\u003e Supporting local agriculture and communities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIntegrity Pledge:\u003c\/strong\u003e We pledge to sell only non-GMO, open-pollinated seeds. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/davidsgardenseeds.com\/pages\/safe-seed-integrity-pledge\" title=\"Safe Seed Integrity Pledge\"\u003eRead our Safe Seed Integrity Pledge\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVegetable Seed License:\u003c\/strong\u003e All seeds sold under our standard Vegetable Seed License.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCooking Methods \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClassic Pesto:\u003c\/strong\u003e The large leaf size makes this the ideal pesto basil — blend with pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and olive oil for a rich, authentic sauce.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCaprese Salad:\u003c\/strong\u003e Whole large leaves are visually stunning layered with ripe tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePizza \u0026amp; Flatbreads:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tear or place whole leaves on Neapolitan-style pizzas after baking to preserve full aromatic intensity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHerb Oils \u0026amp; Infusions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Steep in warm olive oil or white wine vinegar for fragrant culinary infusions ideal for dipping and dressings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePasta \u0026amp; Sauces:\u003c\/strong\u003e Add torn leaves to finish tomato sauces, pasta, and risotto for a bright, sweet herbal lift.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePreserving:\u003c\/strong\u003e Freeze whole leaves in olive oil using ice cube trays, or dehydrate for dried Italian basil to use through winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(232, 17, 9);\"\u003eOrder Italian Large Leaf Pesto Basil Seeds Today\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(232, 17, 9);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrder yours today and grow your own fresh Italian Large Leaf Basil in your spring and summer herb garden.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eNutritional Information\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e(Applies to harvested basil leaves, not seeds. Per 2 tablespoons (5g) fresh.)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCalories: 1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVitamin K: 22% DV\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVitamin A: 4% DV\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eManganese: 3% DV\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContains linalool and eugenol — the primary essential oils behind this variety’s characteristic sweet, mildly spiced aroma\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRich in antioxidants including orientin and vicenin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTraditional uses: supports digestion, anti-inflammatory properties, and antimicrobial benefits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eImportant Disclosures\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVariety Disclaimer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Growing results vary by region, climate, and gardener practice. Italian Large Leaf Basil is frost-sensitive — protect from temperatures below 50°F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeed Storage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Store seeds in a cool, dry location. Properly stored seeds maintain viability for 4–5 years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grown as a warm-season annual in all USDA zones. Best in Zones 9–11 as a short-lived perennial; treated as an annual in Zones 3–8.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(8, 78, 18);\"\u003eGrow something beautiful. Grow something fragrant. Grow with David's Garden Seeds®.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"David's Garden Seeds®","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46937072566529,"sku":"944JSS-1 one bag k112 k323","price":2.96,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0570\/4659\/7796\/files\/herb-basil-large-leaf_2.png?v=1763745565","url":"https:\/\/davidsgardenseeds.com\/products\/herb-basil-pesto-italian-large-leaf-500-non-gmo-heirloom-seeds","provider":"David's Garden Seeds®","version":"1.0","type":"link"}