Yes! For the cooler climates tunnel house is the way to go! I had terrible luck growing outside until a friend told me she grows hers in a tunnel house, now I have brilliant Basil! Also, to keep them going, clip regularly and root in water, they are very quick to root. You will have basil Spring to Fall.
02 Feb 17 Karen (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I live North Shore Auckland.
I've tried to grow allsorts of veg & herbs in pots from seeds outdoors with mixed success. The basil was one of my dismal failures. I now grow all my seeds indoors until the weather is warmer and the plants are well established. I find starting indoors is a lot more convenient for keeping an eye on progress. Regards basil, I find the seeds grow well starting indoors but take a while to get established once outdoors, then they go crazy!
Since starting indoors I now have few failures but there are some things to be aware of:
Light - needs good light so the seedlings don't become leggy. Be aware that near glass (windows/doors) can cause burn damage. Turn the pots around regularly so the plants don't lean. Don't over crowd, thin out seedlings if necessary.
Temperature - Note the soil temperature required to germinate. Overheating during the day, too cold at night. I put a box over the pots at night to protect from sudden drops in temperatures.
Ventilation - Ensure good air flow to minimise risk of disease, be aware of cold draughts coming from open windows at night.
Watering - My seeds are sown in different sized pots/trays depending on what they are. I use
This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department.
The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.
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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.