Basil

[andrewo]

Just mentioned growing basil as a companion plant for tomatoes (but I can only do this under cover). I just want to take a poll to see how many of us grow basil outdoors and how far north you can get with it before it just won't do anything!.

For instance, I live on the west pennines in Saddleworth, I am south facing but because I am an end house I get the west winds and the north winds tearing through the garden and basil doesn't survive, along with all the rain!

[hils]

basil

I am on the London/Essex borders. Have a sheltered bijou back garden and grow a large variety of basil plants (can highly recommend 'Neopolitan'). Lucky me, they grow like weeds, I usually end up giving bags of it away. There is only so much basil you can eat and make pesto with.
Anyone out there got any more exciting ideas about what to do with excess basil?
If the weather is a tad unclement I can move the pots to a sheltered spot.
A mate of mine in Belfast is green with envy; he can ony grow basil in a green house!

[JennieAtkinson]

I have had no luck at all with Basil in the polytunnel - haven't even tried it outside!
Plants germinate ok, but do not grow more than four or five small leaves and generally go black. I assumed it was lack of sunlight and/or warmth. My kitchen window faces north, so not had much luck there either. Will try south facing bedroom this year (son now left home and converted to office). am also getting greenhouse this year, so hopefully better luck in there.
Any advice on stronger varieties gratefully received - I have only tried Gervais (I think - am at work so packets not handy).

[Nicos]

I even manage to kill it on the windowsill!

[nick the grief]

OK in Warwickshire in a hanging basket on the north side of the house in a wind tunnel!

[Nicos]

Don't tell me I have to pee on it!!!!

[Dadnlad]

Basil

Deepest sunny Hertfordshire - yeah easy !
But plot is in definite frost pocket, so consistent frosts into mid June
Now I set everything tender including basil in the greenhouse, and plant out 2nd half of June
Basil grows great until about October

[dragonz]

Lincolnshire it grows like mad, and even recovers after the winter outside

[nick the grief]

You can do Nicos but it taste's orrid

[jonny]

I can manage basil here in SE Scotland only in the greenhouse and it does fine.
Jonny