[stompy]

Is it too late to sow smoe Basil?

[RichardA]

not in my opinion but will admit mine does better in polytunnel than outside unless I start in greenhouse and then plant out or move pots outside. Go for it.

[stompy]

I't was going to be on the decking at home, but i could put it in the greenhouse border but not ideal.

[RichardA]

start it in  a few small pots, keep one or two back in greenhouse and move rest onto decking. Always good to experiment.
R

[Growster...]

start it in  a few small pots, keep one or two back in greenhouse and move rest onto decking. Always good to experiment.
R

Mrs G does this too - usually works!

Can go on the window cill, and look better than the stuff from Snazberries...

[RichardA]

personally I always grow mine next to tomato plants in GH or PT. Smells nice, wife knows where to find it and I think it helps keep aphids off. I also plant Tagentes though for pest control.
R

[Robert_S]

Any basil I grow outside seems to be quite tough and battle scarred, even when still very small, the stuff grown indoors is much nicer.

[mumofstig]

Pot on the kitchen windowsill nearly all year round for me
The kitchen is too cold in the deepest depths of winter, but by then there's plenty in the freezer.

Freeze unchopped and just quickly crumble it from frozen direct into your pasta sauce, works a treat!

[JayG]

Doesn't do well for me outside either (also it doesn't like being watered from above in the greenhouse as the leaves get badly scorched.) 

[shedgirl]

 I grow basil in succesion all year round, keep it on kitchen window in winter. Outdoor plants never as strong as indoor ones, but always have a few. We use basil a lot, and pinching out top leaves makes the plants even stronger.
  Good luck,

[japagow]

I have grown basil in the poly tunnel very successfully. Outside not so good as it needs a warm temp to germinate and thrive.

It is Italian after all. The smell is gorgeous and it will regrow even after heavy picking.

[AnneB]

I despair with basil.  I am trying to grow it outside again this year, but have only a few rather bare stalks.  I think it is just too cold outside in the UK.

[suziet88]

I'm pleased that I'm not the only one having trouble growing basil outdoors.  Think I'll have to move the pot into the conservatory

[compostqueen]

It will be too cold outside in Bradford so settle for your kitchen windowsill where it will grow well.  I sow the seed on the top of a 5" pot of compost (just with a light covering of compost over the top) and they seem to grow happily close together, holding each other up.  Putting them outside where it's windy seems to dessicate the leaves in no time

I sowed some more the other day and it's already growing very well. We eat loads of the stuff. I grow the big lettuce leafed stuff too 

[viettaclark]

Anyone tried growing Thai Holy basil? I've found it quite easy to grow in the kitchen and it's awfully expensive to buy (if you can get it!!)