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Basil

What Plant Yet? knows about basil, and where each number comes from. For today's answer, pick your town.

Planting numbers

Frost category

Tender Source: University of Minnesota Extension

Plant outdoors

On the typical last frost date Source: Utah State University Extension

Start seeds indoors

6–8 weeks before planting out Source: University of Minnesota Extension

Plant out when nights stay above

50°F Source: Clemson Cooperative Extension

Left out because we found no university extension source for it: cold-damage temperature, days to harvest. We don't estimate.

Growing tips

• Give basil warmth, full sun and steady moisture. (Utah State University Extension)
• Set transplants out only after frosts are over. (Utah State University Extension)
• Water about 1½ inches per week. (Utah State University Extension)
• Start harvesting once plants have six to eight leaves. (Utah State University Extension)
• Full sun gives better flavor than shade. (Utah State University Extension)

How the answer uses this

The planting window opens on the typical last frost date in your town; no source gives a last planting date, so it runs to the typical first fall frost. Inside the window the answer is Plant when the coldest of the next 7 nights stays above 50°F.

Sources

• University of Minnesota Extension — checked Nov 11, 2026
• Utah State University Extension — checked Nov 11, 2026
• Clemson Cooperative Extension — checked Nov 11, 2026

Guidance only. Extension advice is written for typical conditions; your soil, variety and microclimate matter.