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Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
		S	P	P

(Best months for planting Basil in USA - Zone 5a regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

Your comments and tips

14 Oct 11, Julie (Australia - temperate climate)

I have been experimenting growing herbs for the last year. Let some of the basil flower and go to seed, when dried out save the seeds and plant again in September for regrowth. Perfect for making pesto, keeps well when made and sealed. Basil does need to be sown each year,

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23 Jan 11, craig (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

You can actually just cut them right back and dry an excess in the oven (very low temp for 45 min or so). the plant will look like death, but tends to start growing again. If it dosent it's an easy herb to keep seeding. I still have the same "bush" that Ive had in a pot for 3 years. Pick, dry regrow start again!

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18 Dec 10, Mish (Australia - temperate climate)

I seem to be able to grow every thing besides basil!! Tried different types, seedlings, seeds, sun, under shade cloth... Nothing works , they just shrivel up and die everytime. Am I posibley watering them too much?? All my other herbs and veg are lush green and healthy

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28 May 10, Steve (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

How can I grow Thai Basil in Adelaide Winter,I have small glasshose will this work or do I need lighting too Ta

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12 May 10, Rachel (Australia - temperate climate)

How do I make my basil grow fuller? does anyone know how my plant needs to be groomed to grow thick and lustrous? thanks

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12 May 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Your basil will grow more 'bushy' if you nip off the growing tips once the plants are well-established. They will send out lots of side-shoots and bush out. Also, I found watering with a seaweed-based liquid fertiliser helps.

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20 Apr 10, tony (Australia - temperate climate)

bridget, sounds like the basil is just going to the flowering stage?? maybe you planted it / bought it a bit late in the season. you can extend the growing phase by cutting / breaking off the stems just below the transistion / flowering growth . . . but you have probably discovered this already ... its not rocket science :). Once the basil plants die, you can take them out, hang them up, and in early spring just shake the plant and rake seeds into damp soil. Hey presto...nature provides us with pesto.

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23 Nov 09, Bridget (Australia - temperate climate)

To be honest Damooo, i have no idea. I'm a novice herb gardener and just purchased a punnet from a local outlet...

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21 Nov 09, Damooo (Australia - temperate climate)

Is the basil you bought drafted basil? (Do you mean 'grafted'? ed.)

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12 Nov 09, Bridget (Australia - temperate climate)

Can someone please help?? I have searched and searched the internet and i can not find anything even remotely similar to my problem! My newly bought and planted (about a month ago) basil is suddenly sprouting some very oddly shaped leaves. Instead of the normal shape the new growth is small, thickish and rubbery looking (like a succulent) and shovel head shaped and a bit lighter in colour. It is in a styrafoam rectangle planter box planted along side coriander & I have them in nearly full sun (under shade cloth and not in the late arvo) and is given a small drink every morning because its quite hot at the moment. When planted i used organic compost. I also spoke to the local nursery but they have never heard of this either... Has anyone come across this?? What is it? Can i still eat my basil?

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