When to start Basil?

[pmcgrady]

I may be early, but I think it's time!


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[KarenO]

indoors anytime.
KarenO

[jmsieglaff]

I sow mine directly as I don’t really use it until tomatoes are ripe. I sow seed when I plant out the maters.

[bower]

I have a heck of a time trying to start them in the winter. It's pretty cool in the basement and they grow soooo slowly (when they're not actually dying). I regret basil is not one of my great successes, although I usually manage to grow a few plants, it's painful.

[greenthumbomaha]

I started a sweet and a lemon a few weeks ago for window sill growing. The lemon will be nice in a pot to walk by and smell but not sure how useful it will be in dishes.

My main sowing of sweet for in ground started last weekend. I tucked it in on the dvd player and it sprouted in two days. It immediately went in a sunny window and spent some time outside today. There is no comparison to growing outdoors as it really doesn't take off till it stays outside. Wanted to check it off my list before I get busy with tomatoes and peppers.

If downy mildew strikes later in the season, I'll start up some Elenora or Holy Greek.

-Lisa

[jmsieglaff]

I tried Cinnamon basil a few years ago and haven’t looked back since.

[rhines81]

I started my Basil 2 weeks ago, they are already sprouted and looking nice... also started Oregano, Cilantro, Thyme, Rosemary and Parsley. Yep, 1 tray full of herbs - done.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by jmsieglaff

I tried Cinnamon basil a few years ago and haven’t looked back since.

I really like it too.

As for starting I spread/broadcasted/sprinkled a bunch out on top of the soil not expecting it to do anything and watered it.
Well was I ever wrong.

[ginger2778]

Originally Posted by bower

I have a heck of a time trying to start them in the winter. It's pretty cool in the basement and they grow soooo slowly (when they're not actually dying). I regret basil is not one of my great successes, although I usually manage to grow a few plants, it's painful.

Try cinnamon basil. I find this stuff while not idiot-proof, it is idiot resistant. Pretty hard to kill it and goodness knows I've tried.
( it tastes like basil with no cinnamon flavor at all)

[SQWIBB]

I'll probably start a few this week or next week then I just start taking cuttings and dropping in cups of water, this saves me room on the grow table.

[Worth1]

Cinnamon basil smells and tastes somewhat like cinnamon to me.
Worth

[SQWIBB]

I had one plant last year that was pungent with a licorice smell like anise. I saved seeds and will be trying to get the same plant as last year.

[clkeiper]

Originally Posted by greenthumbomaha

I started a sweet and a lemon a few weeks ago for window sill growing. The lemon will be nice in a pot to walk by and smell but not sure how useful it will be in dishes.

My main sowing of sweet for in ground started last weekend. I tucked it in on the dvd player and it sprouted in two days. It immediately went in a sunny window and spent some time outside today. There is no comparison to growing outdoors as it really doesn't take off till it stays outside. Wanted to check it off my list before I get busy with tomatoes and peppers.

If downy mildew strikes later in the season, I'll start up some Elenora or Holy Greek.

-Lisa

LEMON or LIME basil is a perfect substitute for cilantro in salsa. it doesn't have the soapy taste some people associate with it.

[clkeiper]

dbl post.

[PotGarden]

I LOVE basil! it just needs to be warm to germinate and grow well. I grow different cultivars indoors all year. If you start it early, no problem. Just give it good light and punch so it doesn't bloom. The only variety difficult to keep inside is Tulsi, or holy basil. It seems to need lot higher light levels.