Topic: Basil

[Marian]

I have a basil plant which has now gone to seed - the leaves are yellowish.  I wonder if I dried the seeds if they could be used for future usage, i.e. as in next spring or so ??

thanks for any advice. ;)

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

easiest way to grow on basil is to buy a plant and take cuttings - they'll root in water in a week or so

[Marian]

Thank you very much Rhubarb Thrasher ! I thought basil was an annual and you had to seed a new plant, but this is a nice surprise !  Especially when you see the price of the plant on the Tesco shelves !!  :o ;D

[saddad]

You'll need to keep it warm, in the house, over Winter...  :)

[Marian]

Hi saddad, I will have to find a warm corner on my boat where I can do that then.
 :D ;)

[landimad]

But surely Basil is a Siberian Hampster from Fawlty Towers ;)

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

for all this grow your own lark, the thing that really saves money IMHO, is when you you get sorted out with the herbs like coriander and basil, and chili too

[manicscousers]

my coriander seeds itself all over the polytunnel floor and it grows much better than my carefully nurtured ones

[Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!)]

Hi Marian

I get a plant from sainsburys and divide the roots (its made up of several plants) and plant it out in spring.  During winter I do the same on the south facing window cill and it works very well.  Next year I am hoping to use a polytunnel on the plot to grow loads - the kids would get through lots of pesto if I can get it right and I LOVE pasta so its a sure fire winner.

Good luck

Psi

[Eristic]

I always save my own seed without any problems. It's the easiest way to overwinter.

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

my last packet of basil from Franchi had so many seed I could use it as a green manure - or open a pesto factory  :D

[1066]

for all this grow your own lark, the thing that really saves money IMHO, is when you you get sorted out with the herbs like coriander and basil, and chili too

Too true RT ! I'm determined to get more grown next year, thinking of using the likes of basil, parsley and corriander as borders in the garden. But will have to do battle with the slugs and snails 1st  :-X

[saddad]

The long basil border... in the big greenhouse is just going over now...  ::)

[Marian]

Hi to all  :)

Thank you so much for all your replies.

I do not own a laptop so have to wait until I get back to work to check my A4A post.  I have a mobile with internet on it but A4A is so fiddly!  :o

I have taken heed of all your nice comments and will try and overwinter the plant I already have (it is full of seeds).  Thanks again !  ;D ;)