Basil

Sow basil seeds thinly on the surface of moist seed compost in trays or pots. Cover lightly with vermiculite or a fine layer of compost, as they need some light to germinate. Keep at 18–24 °C in a bright spot. Germination takes 7-14 days. Do this .

Once seedlings have their first true leaves, prick them out into individual 7–9 cm pots filled with multi-purpose compost. Handle gently by the leaves to avoid stem damage. Keep in a warm, bright location. This step occurs around .

When roots fill the small pots, pot on into larger containers (e.g., 12–15 cm pots) to encourage strong growth before transplanting outdoors. Use a well-draining compost mix. This is done .

Gradually acclimate plants to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before transplanting. Start by placing them outside in a sheltered spot for a few hours each day, increasing exposure. Protect from strong winds and cold nights. Harden off .

Plant basil outdoors in a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil after all risk of frost has passed. Space plants 25 cm apart. Water in well and consider using cloches or fleece if nights are cool. Transplant .

Water basil regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Feed every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser to support leafy growth. Start feeding from and continue until .

Regularly pinch out the growing tips and any flower buds to encourage bushy growth and prevent bolting. Harvest leaves from the top down, taking no more than one-third of the plant at a time. Do this from onwards.

Harvest basil leaves regularly once plants are well-established. Pick in the morning for the best flavour, using scissors or pinching off stems above a leaf pair. Harvest from until for continuous supply.