Basil

I've grown several varieties within the Basil family and have some observations to share. fast growing from seed or small plug plant varies noticeably between them, more than catalogue descriptions suggest. The care fundamentals are shared — planting in free-draining soil in the sunniest spot applie…

Basil is a genuinely satisfying plant to grow, but I want to be upfront about one thing: root rot from overwatering in poorly drained pots. I've dealt with it twice now and it takes consistent attention to manage. Beyond that, attractive to bees and other pollinators when in flower makes it one of …

I planted Basil at entirely the wrong point in the growing calendar and spent the first few months wondering what I'd done wrong. mint spreading invasively through garden beds didn't help matters. Once I understood pinching out flower buds on basil to extend leaf production things improved substanti…

After growing Basil for over a year here is what I'd tell a beginner. First: pinching out flower buds on basil to extend leaf production is not optional — it's the foundation everything else depends on. Second: powdery mildew on basil in cool damp conditions will happen and you should know how to h…