I LOVE my basil but just don't really want to dig it up every fall to bring in the house. Does anyone in my zone have any luck leaving them in the garden?
Anyone overwinter Basil in Zone 7b/8a?
i let mine go to seed every yr so when it does die off it will come back in spring. if you want to over winter it, it does need to go indoors.
Ahhh ok. It has seeds on it now. So you're saying if I just let the seeds DROP where they are, I'll have more basil next spring?
that's what mine do. the seed are in the dead flowers. i collected some for inside growing for winter and the rest i let fall where they are and come spring i have my summers basil.
Hi Carole,
Take cuttings of the younger stems/branches, clip off any developing seedheads, wash them off with good clean cold water (you don't want any bugs to come in with 'em.) 4 to 6 inches is best.
Stick them right into a potting medium that's fresh. I took 6 of them, in case. Place them on a sunny widow sill in the kitchen. They will take root within a week. You then can have fresh basil all winter long. And a pretty good spring starting too.
That's a good way to 'bring them in' for the winter. That's what I've done and it's working out quite well. I have to give them water daily - my kitchen stays hot.
Not only does it make the kitchen smell very good and inviting, the plant is supposed to be a bug repellant. I rub some fresh leaves on my arms while in the garden, even now (darn 'skeeters!).
I also walk around the garden with one in my mouth (leaving it on my tongue) it's the nitrogen in your breathe they're after, I found out.
HTH,
~* Robin
Great info guys! Thank you!
I'll be getting some cuttings off those, or maybe I will just dig them up (they are little) and bring them in over the winter THIS year... do cuttings next fall.
Great information! Thanks!
African Blue Basil (ornamental basil) is a perennial here.