Although basil is commonly associated with Mediterranean cuisine, it actually hails from the tropics. As such it needs a minimum daytime temperature of 23 degrees celsius to germinate well. Although basil can be sown directly in its final growing position during the Northern Hemisphere's warm summer months, you can get a head start by sowing the seeds from March onwards in a propagator.

If you don't happen to have a propagator to hand then the plastic pots in which dips and olives are commonly sold are a sustainable and free alternative. This method also works well for germinating other small seeds like coriander, parsley and tomato.

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