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I grow basil in the kitchen in a sunny window. It doesn't do well for me outdoors. I had really good luck until about a month ago. I planted several varieties, in pots in the window, just as I had been and all of the leaves developed a shiny frosty look on them, then dried out. What was that about?

Sounds like spider mites, or mites of some kind. I would get rid of the potting soil, clean the pots with boiling hot water and start over.

You can google for spider mites and basil. People have trouble with this a lot and the most common treatment is Safer's insecticidal soap spray (this is a non-toxic soap). Of course, prevention would be better! We organic gardeners like to say that insects usually attack weakened plants, so it's possible that your basil plants were low on nutrients, maybe needed nitrogen? Or, it might be just bad luck. Greenhouses and indoor gardens often have problems with mites; they like the indoor environment.

I would just try again, then keep an eye out for them and try one of the various methods of getting rid of them if you see any (Safer's, or dishsoap, or rubbing alcohol, or whatever you want to try that sounds reasonable!) Make sure the potting soil you use this time is sterile--if you're brave enough you can even pasteurize it in the microwave! I've done this with compost too--so you get nutrients but no bugs.

I dumped the pots and will start over. Thanks.