Growing basil

[ChrisN]

Hi Everyone,
Grew a bunch of basil from seeds. Got them all to start in the peat pellets. They started growing big so I transplanted them into a flower pot with top soil and soil that was already in the pots (likely potting soil). Two weeks later the leaves started getting brown spots and then a couple days went by and noticed them all starting to wilt and die away. Not sure what I did wrong. Thank you!

 

[GreenDragon]

Basil is a full sun plant. Too little light and too much water would be my guess.

 

[deluxestogie]

Growing basil in home gardens

How to grow basil in home gardens.

extension.umn.edu

Bob

 

[ChrisN]

Thank you, Bob and Greendragon! I was wondering if that was my issue as well. I’ll try again and see if I can get the hang of it.

 

[LazyBaba]

Basil is hyper susceptible to damping of usually caused by overwatering and cool temps on young plants.

 

[plantdude]

Basil is a full sun plant. Too little light and too much water would be my guess.

Agree 100%. The stuff is a weed for me. Grew it in the garden one year and it keeps coming back from seed. The wife started some in our other garden and it actually held its own against mint and Bermuda grass this year. I've grown it inside before in a very sunny window and it does ok but losses its legendary weed status. Outdoors in medium to full sun it's been a monster, even in less than perfect soil.
Indoors, I would suggest a loose well drained soil with as much light as you can give it and decent humidity levels. If they flower they should produce plenty of seed for you. Getting the right amount of sun and humidity indoors seems to be a balancing act for many herbs with air conditioning and heaters thrown into the equation. Chuck a few seed into a patch outdoors next spring after frost is finished and cover with about 1/4 - 1/8 inch of fine soil and it should do well for you.
Basil butter on bagels is always interesting if you have an excess of it...

 

[johnny108]

I make a few batches at a time, then freeze it for “i don’t know what to make” nights- just thaw in hot water in the sink while the noodles boil….

How to Make the Best Pesto alla Genovese (Classic Basil Pesto Sauce)

We tested every variable to find the best method and ingredients to make the ultimate Genovese-style basil pesto sauce that tastes just like it came from the Ligurian hills of Italy.

www.seriouseats.com

 

[ChrisN]

Thank you very much, Johnny, plantdude, and lazybaba! I will for sure try again and see how it goes. I think this time I’ll put the seed in the flower pot and watch how much I water it.

 

[johnny108]

Thank you very much, Johnny, plantdude, and lazybaba! I will for sure try again and see how it goes. I think this time I’ll put the seed in the flower pot and watch how much I water it.

What type of basil are you growing?
I’ve tried Italian basil (good pesto), Thai (hint of anise), Greek (citrusy- great with seafood), and Bordeaux (purple leaves and allspice smell- great with fruit).
Italian is the easiest to use and grow, though.

 

[ChrisN]

Thanks, Johnny! I didn’t really look at the seed packet as it’s now in storage. I would say likely Italian. Use it all the time on pastas. Picked it up at either Menards (similar to Lowe’s) or dollar tree. It seems easy to grow and don’t remember it being anything special so likely Italian.