"Growing basil indoors or out."
There's also the added bonus of having basil leaves at your fingertips to add to all your summer tomato dishes and green salads. Grow with your tomato plants so you don't forget to use it! Find out more about growing tomatoes on this page...Growing Tomatoes
  Growing Basil - where to start!Basil is an annual plant in many regions and therefore needs planting fresh every year. I've always started basil plants from seed and had great results. Basil originates from Asia and will not tolerate cold weather. Keep the small seedlings warm until around mid-may ( or after the last frost ) when it should be warm enough to plant them outside. Buy your seeds from a reputable supplier. There are loads of different varieties of basil to choose from and their tastes differ as much as their names and shapes! Some are mild flavoured and others are bordering on hot and spicy. Check the variety before you buy. Thompson and Morgan have a range of basil seeds...
When your seedlings have 4 or 5 true leaves ( not counting the first 2 ), they will be ready to plant out. If the weather is warm enough, plant directly into the ground outside in full sun if possible. Basil likes the sun and won't grow well in too much shade. Basil grows in small bushy shapes and you can dot them about the garden rather than growing in a line in the veggie plot. Basil is known to repel flies and aphids, and planting one or two basil plants in your tomato patch and around other veggies will cut back on the pests in the garden. Place one near the back door so it's always easy to pick a few leaves for dinner. Plant your seedlings in soil that has been dug and raked to a fine consistency. Basil doesn't feed heavily, and will tolerate fairly poor soil conditions, although a couple of small organic feeds during the growing season would help leaf production. Plant some out in pots you can move around the house or give away. Basil grows very well in containers and a large pot of basil on the patio smells great, repels flying insects, and looks very pretty! NB: Basil seed can be grown directly outside in lines to be thinned out later. Don't plant seed outside until all danger of frost has passed.When the seedlings have 5 or 6 leaves, they should be thinned to allow at least 6 inches per plant, depending on your variety. 
Pinch off flower heads as they appear to encourage the plant to produce more leaves. Keep watered but not water-logged. Because basil is usually placed in direct sun, drying out of the roots can be a problem. Once a week, make sure you give the roots of your plants a good soaking. Keep cutting! Pinch or cut leaves from your basil plants as and when you need them. As with many herbs, basil likes to be picked and will grow well if you pick leaves regularly. Get rid of weeds and mulch a little round the plants to stop weeds and help keep the ground damp. And during the summer months you should never serve one of your freshly grown tomatoes without a little chopped fresh basil from the herb garden! Growing Basil- storing:Although basil is undoubtedly tastier if used fresh, it is also storable: *Dry leaves in an airy place for a few days, crumble and keep in airtight glass jars. Basil will keep it's smell and taste for ages stored like this, but it will fade eventually. Hopefully not until your next crop is ready to pick! *You can layer fresh basil leaves and cover in olive oil. Refrigerated or kept in a cool place, basil will keep for a few months in oil. Use the leaves as required, and then use the basil-flavoured olive oil in salad dressings. *It's even possible to freeze basil. Cut stalks and freeze quickly then place in a sealed bag before storing in the freezer. Remember to label! Growing basil isn't hard and is a great annual herb to add to your vegetable or herb garden. Get the children involved too. Basil is quick to germinate and easy to grow, and it doesn't matter how many leaves get picked ( within reason ), the plant will keep on growing! For even more basil info pop over to this site......Growing Basil Blog Happy Gardening! Grow Your Own Winter Food: A good diet incorporating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables is a must if you want to stay fit and healthy and keep the bugs at bay during the cold winter months. Growing your own winter food is just one way of ensuring you get the freshest, tastiest produce packed with goodness straight from the garden to the kitchen table. This easy-to-follow self-sufficiency book shows you how to grow your own fruit and vegetables for winter use and includes facts on each fruit, vegetable or herb as well as nutritional value, recipe ideas and storage suggestions.  Grow Your Own Winter Food is perfect for those with limited gardening experience, with gardens big or small who are looking to become more self-sufficient. Order it now direct from the publisher... Grow Your Own Winter Food Grow It, Cook It!: Many crops, including herbs, can be produced in a relatively small space with a little pre-planning and organizing: in containers, on a balcony, and indoors. Herbs are perfect for enhancing the flavour of cooking, treating minor ailments, and preventing colds and flu. Your own back garden will not only produce the best food on the planet for you and your loved ones, it is also economical, environmentally friendly and more fun than shopping. Gardening is more than a hobby; it's a way of life. .  This book provides all the information you need to keep your family and friends healthy, fit and enjoying life to the full. Order it now direct from the publisher... Grow It, Cook It! Grow Your Own Pharmacy: If, like me, you want to be able to eat the best food on the planet, grow your own!  • Clear instructions on planning, planting, growing and harvesting the fruits, vegetables and herbs required for a healthy vitamin intake. • Recipes and menus to help incorporate the fruit and vegetables into your daily diet. Grow Your Own Pharmacy Herbs and Spices: Some herbs grow vigorously, some are tender and need special growing conditions, some are annuals, some perennials, some you can grow indoors, all can be grown in pots or directly into the ground. There are also certain spices, such as chillies, that can be grown in temperate climates. ("There's more about growing basil in this great book!")  This clear and concise directory of herbs and spices provides all the essential information to help you grow a selection of these flavour-enhancing foods in small or large spaces. Ideas for which herbs and spices go best with which foods also accompany each description, so that you can really enliven your repertoire of recipes. Order it now direct from the publisher... Herbs and Spices Granny's Book Of Good Old Fashioned Common Sense is packed full of great ideas and tips. Granny brings traditional home-making up to date with cooking, gardening, needlecrafts and even games to play with the kids...Click on the link below to order your copy.  Cooking doesn’t have to be a chore and preparing nourishing home cooked meals for the family will certainly keep them away from the goodie shelf. Gardening encourages physical exercise and a good healthy dollop of fresh air. And you can get the kids involved too. Before the days of computer games and electronic pets, children used to have fun without rummaging about in the fridge every five minutes. Enjoy a few rainy-day games and crafts of yesteryear with today’s kids. They’ll love it and so will you! Granny's Book Of Good Old Fashioned Common Sense Back to Garden Herbs Page Back to Flower and Garden Tips Homepage Click here to subscribe to "Creative Gardening" - Your FREE monthly ezine! www.flower-and-garden-tips.com/growingbasil.html |
"Genovese" 
Basil can be grown in attractive containers. This very ornamental variety is available at Gurney's US.