When to plant basil
Short answer
Plant basil about 2 weeks after your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Apr 29, starting seeds indoors about Mar 4. Enter your ZIP for your exact dates.
| Climate zone | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Jan 1 | Jan 29 | Mar 30 |
| Zone 2 | Jan 4 | Mar 1 | Apr 30 |
| Zone 3 | Jan 27 | Mar 24 | May 23 |
| Zone 4 | Feb 16 | Apr 13 | Jun 12 |
| Zone 5 | Mar 4 | Apr 29 | Jun 28 |
| Zone 6 | Mar 19 | May 14 | Jul 13 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 3 | May 29 | Jul 28 |
| Zone 8 | Apr 20 | Jun 15 | Aug 14 |
Higher climate-zone numbers are colder, so planting shifts later. Basil is a warm crop. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone and dates.
Your exact dates
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Frequently asked questions
When should I plant basil?
Plant basil about 2 weeks after your last spring frost, once the soil warms. That's around Apr 13 in zone 4 and May 14 in zone 6.
When do I start basil seeds indoors?
Start basil seeds indoors about 6 weeks before your last frost, then transplant after the frost passes. That's roughly Mar 19 in zone 6.
How long until basil is ready to harvest?
About 60 days from transplant or sowing. In zone 6, plants set out around May 14 are typically ready near Jul 13.