Planting guide · zone 8b
When to plant basil in zone 8b
In zone 8b, the average last spring frost is Mar 12 and the first fall frost is Nov 22. Here is basil's whole year, counted from those dates.
Feb 12Start seeds indoorsSpring
Mar 5Succession start 2Spring
Mar 19Transplant 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.