I thought I'm messed up my basil planting this year. I sowed the seeds indoors in pots just as the weather turned horrible and cold. I wasn't sure they would survive, but they seem to be making up for lost time now. The fabulous weather is ensuring I have a whole windowsill of pots of basil (oh goodness, I'm feeling badly behaved again at the thought of my appalling giggles in an A Level English lesson when discussing Keats' Isabella and the Pot of Basil - but there are no heads in my pots).
I have written before about my unorthodox way of growing basil: I sow the seeds thickly on the surface of the compost, cover with clingfilm until first signs of germination, keep the pots on a sunny windowsill, and water well from below. And that is it. I don't thin out the seedlings and I never plant my basil out outside (there are too many creepy crawlies that like basil). This strategy works every time. And now we can make pesto.
Lovely stuff! Mine is coming on a treat too. I grew mine in the greenhouse.
Vivienne x
Posted by: greenrabbitdesigns | July 03, 2010 at 12:44
It would take a heart of stone not to laugh at Isabella's sweet Basil!
Posted by: m | July 03, 2010 at 13:02
Great tip, I shall try growing some more your way. I love the pink against the lush green - wonderful!
Posted by: Ruth | July 03, 2010 at 13:09
Philistine that I am, poetry doesn't speak to me. I tried to read the poem, but it was too long and I didn't get the point...any chance of a Cliff Notes version?
Posted by: Susan Krzywicki | July 03, 2010 at 16:19
That's a great strategy! I wish I had a sunny windowsill - my basil does grow outside and get nibbled on my creepy-crawlies. I'm going to have to figure out a way to grow basil your way!
Posted by: Laura | July 03, 2010 at 16:53
There is a beautiul illustration of Isabella weeping beside a huge and decorative pot of basil on the cover of my edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations. Its from a painting but i can't remeber the artist. It brought back memories of my A- level English teacher, who was an ardent Keats fan and managed to communicate her enthusiasm to at least a few of her students.
Posted by: Janet Moore | July 03, 2010 at 16:54
I may have to try your basil way. What direction is your window? Mine isn't probably sunny enough. But, I may try anyway! I bet it smells wonderful!
Posted by: karen B | July 03, 2010 at 16:58
I think I'm going to try your way. My basil outside has been annihilated by slugs and was looking pretty insipid anyway - as we had almost 6 weeks straight rain. Whether your way is orthodox or not, it certainly seems to work as your basil looks super-healthy!
Posted by: Helen in Switzerland | July 03, 2010 at 17:12
Mine's doing really well on the windowsill - first time it's ever really worked.
Posted by: Jane | July 03, 2010 at 17:15
Forgot to say, think the painting mentioned by Janet may be by Holman Hunt http://persephone.cps.unizar.es/General/Gente/SPD/Pre-Raphaelites/Big/IsabellaAndThePot.jpg
Posted by: Jane | July 03, 2010 at 17:19
Jane, I just wanted to let you know that I found 'The Gentle Art of Quiltmaking' in the English bookshop in Zürich today! It's the first time I've ever seen a quilting book there - and I would have bought it if I hadn't already had a copy!! You are truly internationally famous!!
Posted by: Helen in Switzerland | July 03, 2010 at 20:30
What super-healthy plants! and they look gorgeous against your raspberry sorbet pink kitchen too, lovely
Posted by: oxslip | July 03, 2010 at 21:47
I am trying your way
Posted by: abeachcottage | July 04, 2010 at 11:11
You don't need one, but that's the perfect reason for a pink kitchen - to show off your basil!What a gorgeous colour combination.
Posted by: catherine | July 05, 2010 at 01:50
Great tips and beautiful photos -- thanks! My basil just keeps being eaten and it is outside -- I see now what I need to do.
Posted by: Leila | July 05, 2010 at 20:01
Basil and Thyme are must-haves on any kitchen windowsill . Lacking the space to start from scratch , I buy my pots from the Turkish supermarket . Your method sounds very effective , though .
Posted by: SmitoniusAndSonata | July 05, 2010 at 23:22
Absolutely beautiful basil (and gorgeous pictures - the basil against that pretty pink wall is amazing!). Right now I am growing some basil, chives and thyme in an Aerogarden I received for Christmas...but now that I have bigger place with tons of windows I will have to consider doing it your way.
Basil is one of my favorite herbs. It makes a room even more beautiful and smell wonderfully. Can't wait for mine to start growing!
Posted by: Simplydiygal.wordpress.com | July 08, 2010 at 16:58
Your way works a treat. Never had such luscious large leaves before. And so quickly too!
Posted by: mrsbris | July 14, 2010 at 11:23
We haven't been able to keep basil alive and we love it so. Thanks for the tip! Kelly
Posted by: kelly | July 16, 2010 at 20:49