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Some questions about Basil

Mel McbrideMel Mcbride Posts: 112
in Fruit & veg

I've just bought two basil plants from Asda, to eat.

But now I'm wonder if I could force one to seed and harvest them for next year? Had a look around on google only finding how to harvest after they seed, and how to sow them, but nothing on how and why they seed, or if I can manipulate them to seed

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Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,736

    A packet of basil seeds will cost you less than two plants from a supermarket, and, sown next spring will provide you with hundreds of plants image

    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • Mel McbrideMel Mcbride Posts: 112

    Yeah much cheaper Dove lol

    Just wanted to do it for the fun of it.

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 28,803

    You can also propagate it like mint.  Take a decent stem, strip of fthe lower leaves and put it in a glass of water.  Once decent roots from, pot into compost.   Do it regularly and you can perpetutae your plants through the year and keep yourself supplied from just one or two plants.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • Mel McbrideMel Mcbride Posts: 112

    Ah ok, thanks Obelixx. Do they just not flower in the UK?

    I have grow lights, I could manipulate them very easily.

  • Mel McbrideMel Mcbride Posts: 112

    Yeah I see. Thank you Philippa. image I've done the same to a spinach plant and been warned no to eat the leaves at this point. Do you have any idea when they flower? There's no sign of bolting at all just now, maybe it will happen if I give it miracle-gro and lots of sunshine?

    I found a post online about a women worried about her's bolting, it wasn't this year, but it was in July.. feeling hopeful! image

  • Steve 309Steve 309 Posts: 2,753

    If you want plants to bolt, sow/plant them too close together at the wroing time, don't feed, water erratically and forget to harvest.  Never fails for me!

  • SweetPea93SweetPea93 Posts: 446

    sounds like what's happened to my spinach! Bolted already! At great speed! And I've seemingly followed your instructions to a tee Steve!image

  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114
    Mel, maybe I'm reading your posts wrong, but why do you want your plants to bolt. Most gardeners spend their time trying to prevent their plants bolting, or going to seed.
  • Mel McbrideMel Mcbride Posts: 112

    Hehehe image 

  • Waz200Waz200 Posts: 56

    Hi everyone, i'm new to gardening & still learning so please excuse my ignorance, what does "bolting" mean?

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