Experienced grower's notes on Basil

I've been growing plants seriously for over fifteen years and Basil remains a reliable favourite. For anyone starting out: the most critical thing is pinching out flower buds on basil to extend leaf production. Everything else follows from that.

powdery mildew on basil in cool damp conditions is the challenge that trips up most beginners and some experienced growers too. I've been growing mine in an ornamental potager kitchen garden for three seasons now and the results are consistently good. dual purpose as ornamental plant and culinary ingredient is what makes it worth coming back to year after year. overwintering woody perennials like rosemary with minimal protection is when I show it off — it earns its place fully then.