Basil

The first time I planted basil it was eaten almost immediately by snails. Since then I've been ruthless with my boots after rain and the snail numbers are down dramatically. By the way, as Bill Mollison (the great Tasmanian permaculture man) once said; "You don't have a snail problem, you have a duck deficiency." Chooks are useful snail removers too.

Basil is a warm season plant so should be planted in spring and summer only. If you live somewhere with a short summer, then plant seedlings so they gain the longest possible growing period. You could sow seeds in punnets indoors and grow on until warmer weather arrives. Then plant the seedlings in your herb or veggie patch. I just sprinkle seeds in a shallow drill, backfill and water gently. Beware of snails and slugs once the seedlings appear.

Basil likes full sun and a moist, well-drained soil.