Mia Prospera Active DMR Basil is an exclusive semi-compact Genovese variety bred specifically for disease resistance, delivering the classic basil flavor gardeners crave without the frustration of downy mildew. This open-pollinated cultivar reaches harvest in just 70 days, making it one of the faster basils to bring to the kitchen. Space plants 4 inches apart and you'll have a full, bushy plant ready for generous harvesting; the compact growth habit means it thrives in containers as easily as garden beds.
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The 'DMR' in its name stands for Downy Mildew Resistant, a game-changer for gardeners in humid climates or regions where this fungal disease has plagued their basil crops year after year. Combined with strong Fusarium Wilt resistance, Mia Prospera Active gives you peace of mind through the growing season. The semi-compact bush form produces healthy, full plants even at tight spacing, so you can pack more basil into less space without sacrificing vigor or leaf quality.
As a Genovese type, Mia Prospera Active is the basil for pesto, delivering the classic flavor and texture that make homemade pesto sing. Fresh-cut leaves work beautifully in Italian dishes, on tomato salads, and steeped into vinegars or oils. The leaf shape and vigor make it equally suited to fresh harvesting for everyday kitchen use as to larger-scale preservation projects.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep and maintain soil temperature at 70°F (21°C) for best germination. Transplant to the field when seedlings have developed 3 to 4 sets of leaves.
Move seedlings outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed. Space plants 4 to 8 inches apart; closer spacing (4 inches) still produces healthy, full plants.
Direct seed is an effective option. Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep at 2 to 3 seeds per inch, in rows spaced 18 inches apart. Firm soil over seeds. Thinning is not necessary, but final spacing of 4 to 8 inches apart promotes optimal plant development.
Begin light harvesting after plants have become established, working in the early morning when temperatures are cool and leaves are less likely to wilt. Complete a full harvest just before plants start to flower. Cut the entire plant 4 to 6 inches above the ground to promote vigorous regrowth. Handle leaves carefully during picking, as they bruise easily.
Begin light harvesting once plants are well-established. Cut the entire plant 4 to 6 inches above the ground to encourage a full, bushy second growth; this technique keeps plants compact and productive rather than allowing them to stretch and flower.
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“Developed by Johnny's Selected Seeds as an exclusive offering, Mia Prospera Active represents modern breeding focused on solving real problems that home and market gardeners face. The DMR designation reflects intentional selection for downy mildew resistance, a trait that emerged as increasingly critical as gardeners pushed basil into more challenging growing conditions. This is Genovese basil improved not through hybridization, but through careful open-pollinated selection for disease tolerance and compact habit.”