Planting guide · zone 9a
When to plant basil in zone 9a
In zone 9a, the average last spring frost is Feb 28 and the first fall frost is Dec 1. Here is basil's whole year, counted from those dates.
Jan 31Start seeds indoorsSpring
Feb 21Succession start 2Spring
Mar 7Transplant 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.