[Grubbypaws]

I am trying to grow basil in my polytunnel but some of the leaves are turning black. From my reading this is due to cold or wet or both.

Questions:

Just how warm does basil need to be kept; am I wasting precious growing space trying to grow it in the tunnel?

Is the worst culprit the temperature or the rain?

Once some of the leaves have turned black will the plants survive?

[LilacSandy]

I have found my Basil is a suicidal as cucumbers this year, it hates the cold and being damp so  both are to blame.  I keep trying small amounts but as soon as they show their leaves the weather changes and they damp off. - IF - we get some summer weather we will be able to grow some.

[arugula]

I think it should grow in your polytunnel. It grows that way for me quite well as we haven't had a warm enough summer for a few years now to grow it outside here, which I have done in previous years. I have a bought plant this year as I find it difficult or impossible to germinate seeds, even in the polytunnel, if the temperatures are too low.





Spelling.

[GrannieAnnie]

I've got basil in a big pot in the shaded greenhouse doing well, although its from old seed.

But I sowed some new seed that I bought this year and none of it germinated!

[mumofstig]

Is your polytunnel warm and humid, I don't think Basil likes humidity, preferring warm and dry air.

[Grubbypaws]

Therein lies a problem. If I ventilate it to reduce the humidity the temperature plummets. Oh summer where are you? 

The basil growing outside the tunnel is faring far worse and there is no room on the windowsill inside as I haven't dare put the Padron chillies outside!!

I certainly chose the wrong year to grow basil and chillies for the first time    and now with all this wind my potatoes are getting battered with whole stems breaking off.

[AlaninCarlisle]

Got the same problem with basil, both outside and in the tunnel. Yes, and my spud stems have been broken off by the wind too. Brassicas are standing in water. Yes, Summer wherefore art thou?

[shokkyy]

I've always found it difficult to grow good basil outdoors. I've done 3 batches so far this year, 2 inside for kitchen pots and 1 in my polytunnel for planting round the tomatoes. All have done well, fingers crossed, though I did have one other batch that I killed by being heavyhanded with a watering can.

[devonbarmygardener]

I've found it too wet for basil outdoors so far this year, but the greenhouse plants have done ok as long as they don't get any water on the leaves - then they die off.
Mine are on the bottom shelf so they get the heat but are only watered from the bottom when i think they need it.
My greek basil is doing very well on the kitchen windowsill.