Basil

[newtogrowing]

Hi Guys,
Im just getting in to growing my own veg and i must admit im loving it.
All is going well apart from the Sweet Basil which i thought would be fairly easy to grow but the end of the leaves keep turn black, Arghhh and then the leaf start to break down - Does any have any ideas why?

[Clara]

Not had the same problems but here´s what I heard from Radio 4 once, and it seems to work.....

Basil is a tropical and therefore likes moisture but doesn´t like the cold, therefore don´t send it to bed cold and wet - water only in the morning and do not allow to dry out.

Have you been watering at night? I have to say that now we are in the midst of an Andalucian summer, the nights are so warm that I seem to be getting away with it.

[mybarnconversion]

Too much water can cause some blackening, that could be it / or bruising ... I always try to use basil ASAP, time does it no favours.

[Millie]

Im no good with advice, I seem to have upset my sweet basil Im wondering if it needs a bigger pot, though I only repotted it about 2 weeks ago, its gone a bit shrivelled and limp in places ooops

Hope you manage to solve it!!

[adekun]

I've posted about this before. Never had much luck.

[ohareward]

Pinch out the centre of the growth, this will promote the plant to bush out. Also don't let it flower.
Basil requires well-drained, moist, medium-rich soil and full sun. It is propagated from seed, which must be sown after any danger of frost in cool regions. In cold, wet, northen summers it may need to be grown on under glass, but florishes as a container plant and should be kept outside in hot, dry spells to develop the best flavour.

Robin