Planting guide · zone 5a
When to plant basil in zone 5a
In zone 5a, the average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is Oct 1. Here is basil's whole year, counted from those dates.
Apr 17Start seeds indoorsSpring
May 8Succession start 2Spring
May 22Transplant into the gardenSpring
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Soil & site
Rich, moist, warm soil. Basil sulks below 50°F — don't rush it outside.
Seedling care
Start 4 weeks before last frost and transplant only after nights stay warm.
Growing notes
Pinch the growing tip weekly to force branching; flower spikes turn the leaves bitter, so nip them.
Harvest
Harvest from the top down, never strip the bottom. A hard cut-back in midsummer brings a fresh flush.