[WG.]

Thinking ahead here.

I'd appreciate any do's/don'ts on picking basil to maximise the crop over a long picking period.  My herb book explains how to get two cuts per annum for drying but I'm looking for the "little & often" approach.

I will be growing in the conservatory 'cos it seems not to like our Highland summers.   Will try some outside under glass too.

[muntjac]

top 2 leaves only mate and just plant loads in an 10 stone old fish box .stick it in the sun .good soil and compost mix with a bit sand ,this will make it sprout more side shoots

[WG.]

top 2 leaves only

Thanks Munty, I'll try that from when they're about 4" tall?   Got quite a few different varieties this year too - courtesy of trading some smoked garlic with Aggy.

[jaycee]

Whiskey-golf I planted out into a raised bed last year and then covered with a cold frame. Best basil I have ever grown....and that`s Highland  Nr Kyle of Lochalsh.

[WG.]

Whiskey-golf I planted out into a raised bed last year and then covered with a cold frame. Best basil I have ever grown....and that`s Highland  Nr Kyle of Lochalsh.

Thanks jaycee.  We had a warm summer by our standards last year and still the basil sulked out of doors.  I reckon you're right about needing glass at this latitude.

[flowerlady]

What kind of basil?

Last year I grew Mamouth Basil - brilliant stuff   Sowed the whole packet, so I only needed to pick the biggest leaf of each plant from the sides - low down - but left small stem this prompted side shoots - thus bushier plant.

It grew till the frost got it  

[WG.]

What kind of basil?

Sweet basil, sweet genovese basil, lemon basil, cinnamon basil, neapolitana basil, purple ruffles basil, Baskin Robbins basil ...

[Dan]

Try some "Thai Basil" thats pretty mental with a kind of anniseed taste

[WG.]

Try some "Thai Basil" thats pretty mental with a kind of anniseed taste

Okay thanks Dan

[mandycharlie]

Did you grow your basil in a row, or did you broadcast (is that the right term?) it.

[WG.]

Did you grow your basil in a row, or did you broadcast (is that the right term?) it.

 Individual containers.  (but, yes, broadcast, is the correct term - that's how I grow my coriander and fenugreek)

[Sadgit]

Did you grow your basil in a row, or did you broadcast (is that the right term?) it.

 Individual containers.  (but, yes, broadcast, is the correct term - that's how I grow my coriander and fenugreek)

huh?

[DD.]

huh?

If 'broadcast' is the problem, it's refers to scattering of the seed over a wide(r) area, rather than in straight rows.

[flowerlady]

What kind of basil?

Sweet basil, sweet genovese basil, lemon basil, cinnamon basil, neapolitana basil, purple ruffles basil, Baskin Robbins basil ...

 :shock:  Are you going for the national collection !!! ?

mandycharlie ... I grow mine in 12" pots at home ... not on the plot 'cos it's too far from the kitchen  :roll:  anyway I just sprinkle the seeds over the whole area  

[agapanthus]

What kind of basil?

Last year I grew Mamouth Basil - brilliant stuff   Sowed the whole packet, so I only needed to pick the biggest leaf of each plant from the sides - low down - but left small stem this prompted side shoots - thus bushier plant.

It grew till the frost got it  

That's what I mainly grow too Flowerlady!!! Huge leaves!! The other varieties I grow just for a little bit of a different taste....especially the Thai variety 'cos I cook a lot of Thai curries.
They grow well in the open if there is a bit of protection