Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: mikegm on March 24, 2011, 15:38

Title: Basil
Post by: mikegm on March 24, 2011, 15:38

Hi all. just a newby really with gardening. I have recently sown a few basil seeds. The young plants are only about 3/4" tall. A while back I placed them into my new oudoor cold frame. The edges on a lot of the leaves have gone brown. While in the cold frame we have had one or two frosts.  Did I place these plants into the cold frame too quickly (being a bit keen) Was it the frost that caused this, and will they recover?

Title: Re: Basil
Post by: JayG on March 24, 2011, 15:44

Basil is probably one of the tenderest of all herbs and certainly shouldn't be outside at this time of year (even with protection.)

Don't know where you live but I find that it struggles outdoors even in summer in Sheffield.

Bring it indoors somewhere light and warm; it might recover.

Title: Re: Basil
Post by: Trillium on March 24, 2011, 15:46

Basil are strictly a heat lover, like cukes and toms. And you've likely got some frost burn on the leave edges. I wouldn't leave basil outside just yet as its still just too cold for them unless you've got a heated greenhouse.

Recovery depends on just how much of the leaf has been burned. Keep watering and in a sunny position and they might recover, but to be safe it would be better to sow more seeds.

Title: Re: Basil
Post by: DD. on March 24, 2011, 16:04

Mine's still in the heated greenhouse and that's where it's staying for a while!

Title: Re: Basil
Post by: mikegm on March 24, 2011, 16:10

Thanks to you all, now bringing them back in!! :)

Title: Re: Basil
Post by: Kleftiwallah on March 24, 2011, 16:13

Just this minute planted mine (six varieties) all are sitting in the propagator.   Cheers,   Tony.

Title: Re: Basil
Post by: viettaclark on March 24, 2011, 18:13

I'm trying the Thai (Holy) basil as well this year as you can only buy it in Asian foodshops and it's quite pricey.
It's woodier and has got the aniseedy flavour redolent of yummy Thai dishes.

Title: Re: Basil
Post by: mumofstig on March 24, 2011, 18:25

Is that the one with the purple stems?..............it has really pretty flowers and I grow it for pots on the patio paving  :D

Title: Re: Basil
Post by: arugula on March 24, 2011, 18:29

I won't be planting any Basil until next month. :)

Title: Re: Basil
Post by: Ice on March 24, 2011, 19:55

Thai basil has a wonderful taste and makes a really pretty pot plant. 

Title: Re: Basil
Post by: Benandbill on March 24, 2011, 20:35

mikegm, your basil is faulty.  :) -  sorry!

Title: Re: Basil
Post by: mumofstig on March 24, 2011, 21:01

 :nowink:  :D

Title: Re: Basil
Post by: MiklovesHerb(s) on March 26, 2011, 11:42

Is anyones Thai basil growning yet....i planted mine 2 weeks ago but no sign!

i've also got red baisil and standard to grow....any top tips?

Title: Re: Basil
Post by: mumofstig on March 26, 2011, 11:47

Tip.....wait till it's warmer  ;)  :D

Title: Re: Basil
Post by: operabunny on March 26, 2011, 20:43

tbh I mostly grow mine indoors. If you grow it yourself it doesn't die off like those poor things from the supermarket. 2 pots are enough - 1 'cropping now' and 1 'recovering'.

1 outside crop in high summer gives me enough for homemade pesto.

Title: Re: Basil
Post by: viettaclark on March 26, 2011, 23:18

Mine's on the kitchen window sill and has just peeked through after 10 days. Pretty good germination too!