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Herbs
Basil
A warm-season herb that bolts fast once it flowers, regular picking is what keeps it productive.
Get your planting dates
This guide covers how to grow, harvest and keep basil, deliberately without sowing dates,
because the right date depends entirely on your climate zone. GardenBuddy's planting calendar
covers all seven Australian climate zones and will tell you exactly when to sow where you live.
Growing
Full sun, warm soil, doesn't tolerate cold or frost at all. Pinch out flower spikes as they appear to keep leaf production going.
Common problems
- Bolting to flower in long daylight or heat stress, pinch tips regularly
- Downy mildew in humid, still conditions, improve airflow
- Sulks and stalls below about 12°C
Harvest
Pick from the top down, just above a leaf node, this encourages bushier growth rather than a single tall stem.
Preserving this crop
Best suited to:
Seed saving
Difficulty: Easy. Self-pollinating, rarely crosses within reasonable garden distances. Let flower spikes dry fully on the plant, then rub the seed heads out.