Planting guide · zone 5b
When to plant basil in zone 5b
In zone 5b, the average last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost is Oct 8. Here is basil's whole year, counted from those dates.
Apr 10Start seeds indoorsSpring
May 1Succession start 2Spring
May 15Transplant 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.