Harvesting basil seeds from your favorite variety will ensure you get that same taste and cultivar. It's an economical way to grow basil year after year.
How to Harvest Basil Seeds
To harvest basil seeds you have to let the flowers form and turn brown, you will notice in the center of the cluster of basil leaves a small flower beginning to form. Once the basil flowers, you need to wait around 4-6 weeks for the flowers to go brown.
The flower stalk will emerge, and you’ll soon see flowers. As the flowers mature, the petals will drop. The carpels that remain attached to the bloom stalks contain the developing seeds. These little "pods" dry up and turn brown as the seeds mature.
When the basil seeds are ready and mature, you can strip the brown carpels from the bloom stem and crumble them between your fingers to release the seeds.
You will end up with too many seeds, you can offer some to your friends, and store the rest to grow next growing season to enjoy all the benefits of fresh basil!
Storing The Seeds
Once you have your basil seeds, you need to store them properly. . Place the dried seeds in a glass jar, and put the jar in the freezer for a couple of days to kill any insect pests.
. Label your varieties.
. Always ensure that there is no air in the container and store the seed in a cool, dark place.
. Basil seeds that are completely dry and kept in a dry, and dark location should be viable for up to 3 years after collecting.
Harvesting your own basil seeds is a great way to ensure you have plenty of future basil crops year after year. So why not take advantage of all the free seeds that your basil plants give off at the end of their season?
How to Collect Basil Seeds Video
Happy Gardening!