[Annie]

There,and I am all set to grow swede for the first time blissfully unaware that they were difficult.....

[Growbag]

Whiskey_Golf thanks for the reference to Munty's method of growing "God caulflowers" - have saved it for future reference.   Sadgit - concur with other's views that Basil hates having wet stalks or leaves.   I grow mine in pots and when the compost is really dry I plunge the pots in water and then let them drain.  I'm trying an experiment at the moment by trying to root a cutting of Basil.  I've placed some foil over a cup of water and made a small hole through the stem will go, leaving the leaves resting on the foil.  I will report back if it works.  Hermon,  I've read that it helps peppers to set fruit if you mist the flowers.

[Trillium]

Aggy, regular onions really don't grow as succession plants despite silly packet instructions. They need 60 days prior to summer solstice (June 21st) and about that long after, otherwise they go to seed as a biennial. By getting that time in before the 21st, you've got a better chance of the bulbs lasting in storage - provided they're not thick-necked. Use those first.
Only 20 yrs gardening? Hey, you're still a youngster    

[GrannieAnnie]

Aggie, my friend Jacqui's Dad never bought spring onion seeds at all.  He would sow loads of onion seeds, then use the thinnings as spring onions and leave the rest to grow as ordinary ones!  I have trouble growing onions from seed, but my spring onions did well last year, just not enough of them!

But ordinary onions I grow from sets, easier!