DibbleGrowing basil: from seed to harvest
Start basil indoors 4 weeks before last frost; it hates cold, so transplant after frost. Pinch tops to keep it bushy.
Planting dates for basil by zone
| Zone | Start seeds indoors | Sow or transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April 17 | May 22 | July 21 |
| Zone 4 | April 12 | May 17 | July 16 |
| Zone 5 | April 2 | May 7 | July 6 |
| Zone 6 | March 24 | April 28 | June 27 |
| Zone 7 | March 13 | April 17 | June 16 |
| Zone 8 | February 28 | April 4 | June 3 |
| Zone 9 | February 1 | March 8 | May 7 |
| Zone 10 | January 3 | February 7 | April 8 |
| Zone 11 | December 4 | January 8 | March 9 |
These dates use typical frost dates for each zone. Dibble tunes them to your exact ZIP and lets you adjust frost dates for your own yard.
Companion plants
Good neighbors for Basil:
Family and rotation
Basil is in the mints family. Aromatic herbs, interplant freely; few rotation concerns. Learn about crop rotation.
Related crops
Mint
When to plantThyme
When to plantRosemary
When to plantOregano
When to plantSage
When to plantLavender
When to plant
Questions
When should I plant basil?
It depends on your zone. Basil is a tender crop, so the timing follows your last spring frost. Look up your zone in the table below for exact start, sow, and harvest dates, or open Dibble and enter your ZIP to get your own calendar.
How long does it take to grow basil?
About 60 days from transplant to the first harvest, with a picking window of roughly 90 days after that.
What grows well with basil?
Good companions include Tomato, Pepper.
Plant at the right time this season
Dibble builds your calendar in under a minute. Free to start, no account needed.