When to plant basil
Basil timing, counted from your average last spring frost and first fall frost. Leaves blacken below about 40°F.
| Season | warm-season, tender to frost |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | 6 weeks before to 4 weeks before the last frost |
| Transplant | 1 week after to 3 weeks after the last frost |
| Sow outdoors | 1 week after to 3 weeks after the last frost |
| Soil temperature to germinate | 60°F or warmer |
| Days to maturity | 60–90 days from seed |
| Spacing | 10–12 in apart, rows 18–24 in apart |
| Seed depth | 0.25 in |
Example dates
| Place | Dates |
|---|---|
| Austin, TX (78701) | Start seeds indoors: Jan 27–Feb 10; Transplant: Mar 17–31; Sow outdoors: Mar 17–31 |
| Atlanta, GA (30303) | Start seeds indoors: Feb 10–24; Transplant: Mar 31–Apr 14; Sow outdoors: Mar 31–Apr 14 |
| St. Louis, MO (63101) | Start seeds indoors: Feb 18–Mar 4; Transplant: Apr 8–22; Sow outdoors: Apr 8–22 |
| Chicago, IL (60614) | Start seeds indoors: Feb 27–Mar 13; Transplant: Apr 17–May 1; Sow outdoors: Apr 17–May 1 |
| Denver, CO (80202) | Start seeds indoors: Mar 19–Apr 2; Transplant: May 7–21; Sow outdoors: May 7–21 |
| Seattle, WA (98101) | Start seeds indoors: Jan 30–Feb 13; Transplant: Mar 20–Apr 3; Sow outdoors: Mar 20–Apr 3 |
Every ZIP page has its own dates. Find your ZIP.
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Sources
- University of Missouri Extension: G6201: Vegetable Planting Calendar
- K-State Research and Extension: MF315: Vegetable Garden Planting Guide
- University of Maryland Extension: When to Plant Vegetables
- NC State Extension: Central North Carolina Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs
- UF/IFAS Extension (EDIS): SP 103/VH021: Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide
- Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC: Planning a Garden
Summarized in our own words from public extension publications.
All vegetables · Your ZIP's planting calendar
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