Basil is my nemesis!!

Basil!!!

Planted basil for the first time last year. 4 or 5 germinated but all the plants died before getting past the first set of proper leaves.

I ended up buying some of the ready cut kind from the supermarket. It was limp and lifeless, as you'd expect, so I stuck it in a glass of water on the kitchen windowsill to revive.  A week later it had taken root in the glass. It even went on to flower as I just kept topping up the water level.

Going to try the seeds again this year but maybe add in something to lighten up the compost so it drains better.

I never knew that basil cuttings will root in water....everyday's a schoolday

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Basil likes a lot of warmth and a stable temperature

I'll agree with that, and it also hates being overwatered.............so try a little less of the wet stuff

sun,sun,and more sun.just like toms,there perfect partner.

What I do is get six 10cm pots and evenly sow 5 to 6 seeds in each. Put the pots in a tray and cover the tray with a plastic lid or each pot with some cling film until germination, remove lids/film once germinated. The tray sits on the conservatory window sill near the radiator so gets plenty of light and warmth. Water into the tray, not the individual pots.

5 to 6 seeds in a 10cm pot means you don't need to transplant and so far they have germinated and grown wonderfully, the only trouble is visitors keep asking if they can take a pot or two!