Basil planting calendar for USDA Zone 8a

Wilmington NC, Columbia SC, Atlanta, Dallas, Norfolk. Average last spring frost March 28, first fall frost November 5 — a 222-day frost-free season.

Zone fit: excellent

Basil is well suited to Zone 8a. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.

Key dates

Start seeds indoors

February 7 – February 21

Transplant outdoors

April 4 – April 25

Expected first harvest

June 5 – July 3

Fall planting window

August 20 – September 10

Fall harvest window

October 21 – November 18

Windows are calculated from your zone's average frost dates. Adjust ±1 week for microclimates, elevation, and your own frost records.

Spacing and soil

Plant spacing: 12″
Row spacing: 18″
Seed depth: 0.125″
Soil temperature: 70–90°F
Frost tolerance: tender
Days to harvest: 55 days

Grower notes for Zone 8a

Pinch flowers weekly to keep leaves productive. Fusarium-resistant varieties are essential for repeat plantings in the same beds.

Plant near: tomatoes, peppers

Keep away from: rue

Same crop, other zones

Track your own plantings

BAU Farm Intelligence turns these windows into per-field tasks — indoor seed-start reminders, transplant dates, harvest projections — using your farm's actual frost history.

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