Growing basil: timing, spacing and costs by zone
When to plant basil in Zones 6–9, spacing, and what to know before you commit ground.
Not yet expert-reviewed. Written by BAU Farm Intelligence from public extension and agency sources. Check dates and program details with your local extension office.
When to plant
Basil: warm-season, will not take a frost. Plant when soil reaches 70–90°F. Dates below are averages worked out from each zone's frost dates — check your own field.
- Zone 6b (Boone NC): set out May 1 – May 22; fall planting July 23 – August 13. First picking around July 2 – July 30.
- Zone 7b (Raleigh): set out April 15 – May 6; fall planting August 6 – August 27. First picking around June 16 – July 14.
- Zone 8b (Charleston SC): set out March 22 – April 12; fall planting August 30 – September 20. First picking around May 23 – June 20.
- Zone 9a (Gainesville FL): set out March 4 – March 25; fall planting September 15 – October 6. First picking around May 5 – June 2.
Setting it up
Grow as transplants, started about 6 weeks before last frost. Space plants 12 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart, about 0.125 inch deep. Expect roughly 55 days to first harvest.
Field notes
Pinch flowers weekly to keep leaves productive. Fusarium-resistant varieties are essential for repeat plantings in the same beds.
How it fits each zone
- Zone 6b: good — Basil is frost-tender, so timing the outdoor transplant to the last frost matters more here than in warmer zones. Row cover buys 2 weeks of head start.
- Zone 7b: excellent — Basil is well suited to Zone 7b. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.
- Zone 8b: excellent — Basil is well suited to Zone 8b. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.
- Zone 9a: excellent — Basil is well suited to Zone 9a. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.
Before you plant
Line up who will buy it and at what price before seed goes in the ground. See the planting calendar for your exact zone.