Step One 

Take out the seed packets and other bits in the pot, not the soil.

Step Three 

Take a little bit of the soil and put it in the lid, you will need this in a little while. With the soil left in the pot, just pat it down gently so it is slightly firm.

Step Five 

Cover with the thin layer of soil you put in the lid in step three.  Then place in a warm spot in the house. 

Step Seven 

When the seedlings are large enough to handle and have their first true leaves, transplant into their own 7.5cm (3in) pot filled with multi-purpose compost.

Step Two

Fill the pot with between 60 and 70 ml of water, carefully so it does not overflow with water. Let the water settle for a moment

Step Four 

Scatter half of the seeds on the wet compost, you don’t need that many as most will germinate. The rest can be used in other pots or planted outside in or around May.  

Step Six 

After the seed start to germinate, place in a warm, bright spot, such as a sunny windowsill, and water regularly to keep the compost moist and put a whole in the bottom of the pot for drainage.

Top Tips 

Basil hates having wet roots overnight, so water in the morning if possible.

Keep plants bushy and productive by harvesting the shoot tips regularly and remove any flowers that start to develop. 

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Plants will die off at the end of summer, once temperatures start to fall.