There are holes in the center of the leaves on my basil plant. Is there a pest that eats the middle of a plant, and what do you do to rid them? Is this caused by something other than bugs?
This is most likely slug damage as basil is one of their favorite plants. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/facts-about-slugs-and-how-to-kill-garden-slugs.htm
It could also be flea beetles. Here is more information:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/what-are-flea-beetles.htm
When planting edible vegetables in plastic containers, such as basil, lettuce or small cherry tomoatos, will the plastic in the container leach into the soil and put toxins in the soil which will be absorbed by the plant?
Most plastics are safe to use, but if you're really concerned, you can switch to the old ffashioned, but very reliable, clay pots.
There are holes in my basil leaves.
This is usually associated with slug damage as basil is one of their favorite plants. This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/facts-about-slugs-and-how-to-kill-garden-slugs.htm
I bought a sweet basil plant for the first time and planted it in my garden. It looks wonderful, but it is anything but sweet! My husband insists that the plant smells like marijuana, and the taste is spicy hot. What happened?
It sounds like your basil may have gone to seed. When a basil plant flowers, the leaves become bitter. It is important to the flavor to remove flowers as soon as you see them.
The other possibility is that the plant was mislabled. There are several kinds of Asian basil that have spicy flavor.
I'm on my 3rd Basil plant. Something is eating them. They're after the leaves on my tomato plants too. It may be earwigs. I do not have tomato worms or snails. What could it be, and what can I do?
Slugs are the normal culprit for this. They can literally devour plants overnight and they love basil. This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/facts-about-slugs-and-how-to-kill-garden-slugs.htm
I was at a baby shower this weekend and the 'favors' were different herb plants. I've always wanted to grow herbs, but unfortunately, I never have. I love basil and luckily there was still one plant left when I got up there. My question is, if I plant it outside, do I need to bring it in for the winter (I live in upstate NY), and if so, will I be able to keep it growing indoors and then be able to plant it again outdoors?
Basil is a rather short lived annual. You can expect it only to survive the summer and after that it will get woody. It is best to start a new plant for winter to grow indoors (so, yes, you will need to grow it indoors for winter).
Here are some articles to help you with your basil plant and future basil plants:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/basil/how-to-grow-basil-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/basil/growing-basil-seeds.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/basil/propagating-basil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/basil/information-on-how-to-grow-basil-indoors.htm
The leaves on my basil plant are turning yellow. What is wrong?
You may be overwatering just slightly. Allow the top of the soil to dry out before watering.