LawnWeather

When to plant basil

Start seeds indoors 2 weeks to 4 weeks before the last spring frost. Plant outside 2 weeks to 4 weeks after the last spring frost. The most cold-sensitive herb: a night in the 40s turns leaves black.

Tender: any frost damages it.

Basil planting dates by state

CityStart indoorsPlant outside
Birmingham, ALFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 30 – Apr 13
Tucson, AZJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 2 – Mar 16
Little Rock, ARFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15
Sacramento, CAJan 11 – Jan 25Feb 22 – Mar 8
Denver, COMar 28 – Apr 11May 9 – May 23
Hartford, CTMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 23 – May 7
Wilmington, DEMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 17 – May 1
Washington, DCFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23
Jacksonville, FLDec 27 – Jan 10Feb 7 – Feb 21
Atlanta, GAFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 22 – Apr 5
Boise, IDMar 23 – Apr 6May 4 – May 18
Chicago, ILMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 20 – May 4
Indianapolis, INMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 24 – May 8
Des Moines, IAMar 24 – Apr 7May 5 – May 19
Wichita, KSMar 14 – Mar 28Apr 25 – May 9
Louisville, KYMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 20 – May 4
New Orleans, LADec 26 – Jan 9Feb 6 – Feb 20
Portland, MEMar 26 – Apr 9May 7 – May 21
Baltimore, MDFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23
Boston, MAMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 17 – May 1
Detroit, MIMar 25 – Apr 8May 6 – May 20
Minneapolis, MNMar 26 – Apr 9May 7 – May 21
Jackson, MSJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 14 – Mar 28
Kansas City, MOMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 23 – May 7
Billings, MTApr 2 – Apr 16May 14 – May 28
Omaha, NEMar 23 – Apr 6May 4 – May 18
Las Vegas, NVJan 8 – Jan 22Feb 19 – Mar 5
Manchester, NHMar 29 – Apr 12May 10 – May 24
Newark, NJMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 15 – Apr 29
Albuquerque, NMMar 18 – Apr 1Apr 29 – May 13
New York City, NYMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 14 – Apr 28
Charlotte, NCFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 25
Fargo, NDApr 12 – Apr 26May 24 – Jun 7
Columbus, OHMar 19 – Apr 2Apr 30 – May 14
Oklahoma City, OKMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 14 – Apr 28
Portland, ORFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6
Philadelphia, PAMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 14 – Apr 28
Providence, RIMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 21 – May 5
Columbia, SCFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6
Sioux Falls, SDMar 31 – Apr 14May 12 – May 26
Nashville, TNMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 17 – May 1
Dallas, TXJan 23 – Feb 6Mar 6 – Mar 20
Salt Lake City, UTMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 21 – May 5
Burlington, VTMar 25 – Apr 8May 6 – May 20
Virginia Beach, VAFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8
Seattle, WAFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
Charleston, WVMar 24 – Apr 7May 5 – May 19
Milwaukee, WIMar 27 – Apr 10May 8 – May 22
Cheyenne, WYApr 15 – Apr 29May 27 – Jun 10

Not your city? Every city planting calendar lists all 19 vegetables.

Helpful gear

Seed starting kitTrays with humidity domes for starting seeds indoors.See options on AmazonLED grow lightKeeps indoor seedlings short and sturdy.See options on AmazonFrost clothCovers tender plants on a surprise frost night.See options on Amazon

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