Planting timing
When to plant basil
Plant basil on the cited sheets — not on a national calendar month. Regional and season notes stay source-specific.
Growing guidance is general information. Timing, spacing, and care depend on cultivar, weather, soil, and local conditions. Check the sources and adjust the plan for your garden.
Dates stay on the named cards below — not one planting window.
Annual and light notes live on the basil hub. Timing stays on the cited sheets.
Annual and light notes live on how to grow basil.
What the sources say — at a glance
One source per card. Facts are not averaged.
Illinois Extension (Illinois)
Media 70°F. Indoor 3 to 4 weeks. Soil 60°F after frost-free.
Details and limits (3)
When
Illinois Extension (Illinois): media temperature at least 70°F. Germination note — not a BioArva climate zone.
When
Illinois Extension (Illinois): sow seed indoors about 3 to 4 weeks to produce transplants for after the frost-free date and when soil temperatures are at least 60 degrees and above. Timing on their sheet — not a national plant date.
Limit
Illinois herbs basil page. Start method and timing only — not harvest.
Maryland Extension (Maryland)
Sow after all danger of frost has passed.
Details and limits (2)
When
Maryland Extension (Maryland): basil grows easily from seed sown after all danger of frost has passed; it is not tolerant of chilly temperatures. Timing on their sheet — not a national plant date.
Limit
Maryland growing-basil page. Timing only — not harvest.
Clemson HGIC (South Carolina)
Indoor 4 to 6 weeks. Night above 50°F.
Details and limits (3)
When
Clemson HGIC (South Carolina): seed are typically sown indoors four to six weeks ahead of the outdoor planting time. Plant basil seeds ¼-inch deep. Germination should take 5 to 10 days at 70 °F. Start method.
When
Clemson HGIC (South Carolina): basil should not be transplanted into the garden until the daytime temperature is consistently in the 70s, and the nighttime temperatures are above 50 °F. Timing on their sheet — not a national plant date.
Limit
South Carolina basil factsheet. Start method and timing only — not harvest.
Sources differ
Make it yours
Save the bed in the Field Book so next season is not a guess.
Verified suppliers only
No supplier on this page
When a partner is listed, it will be outbound and disclosed. Nothing to buy here. Fertilizer, soils, and pesticides stay off this slot.
What to record in the Field Book
Save the bed with the crop and the date. You may add a photo and notes. Compare entries you have recorded with each other — not with a diagnosis from this page. If you want an identification, bring the record to local Extension.
How we know — methodology. Ranges and assertions are cited per source, not blended.