Basil

Fill small pots or seed trays with peat-free compost and sow basil seeds about 0.5 cm deep. Water gently and cover the trays with a clear lid or cling film to retain moisture. Keep them in a warm place (around 21–24 °C) until germination, which usually takes 5-10 days.

Once seedlings have their first true leaves, remove any cover and ensure they get plenty of light. Gently transplant the strongest seedlings into individual 8 cm pots filled with fresh compost. Handle them by the leaves (not the stem) and plant them a bit deeper up to their seed leaves. Maintain about 18–21 °C and keep the compost moist to help them establish.

April in Winterbourne is a good time to start hardening off your basil seedlings. Gradually accustom them to outdoor conditions by placing the pots outside during the day and bringing them back in at night. Start with a few hours of morning sun and increase their outdoor time each day over a week or two. This will toughen the plants up for life outdoors.

Transplant your basil outside once the weather is reliably warm and all danger of frost has passed. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot with fertile, free-draining soil. Plant the basil seedlings 30 cm apart, and firm them in gently. Water them in well after planting. If nights are still cool, use fleece or cloches to protect the young plants.

About two weeks after transplanting, start pinching out the growing tips of each basil plant. Use your fingers to nip out the top set of small leaves on each stem. This encourages the basil to branch out and form a bushier plant, rather than flowering early. Continue to pinch out the tips regularly (every week or so) during the growing season to keep your basil producing plenty of leaves.

Feed your basil plants with a balanced, organic liquid fertiliser about once a month throughout the summer. Begin feeding approximately a month after transplanting, once the plants are well established. Always water the basil before applying fertiliser to avoid burning the roots, and follow the product's instructions for dilution. Regular feeding will result in lusher growth, especially for basil grown in containers.

Once your basil plants are established and have plenty of leaves (usually about 6-8 weeks after sowing), you can begin harvesting. Pick a few leaves from each plant as needed, taking care not to remove more than a third of the plant at once. The best way is to snip the top leaves or pinch off small stems, which encourages new growth. Regular harvesting not only provides fresh basil for the kitchen, but also keeps the plant productive and prevents it from flowering.