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When to plant basil in zone 6a

In zone 6a, where the last spring frost typically comes around April 29, start basil indoors March 31 to April 14 and plant out May 19 to 26.

The zone 6a schedule for basil

Start seeds indoors
March 31 to April 14
Plant out
May 19 to 26
Sow outdoors
May 19 to 26
Soil warm enough (60°F), about
May 19
First harvest, roughly
June 18 to 25

From the median frost dates of the NOAA stations assigned to the 4,514 ZIP codes in zone 6a, and the timing recommended by Cooperative Extension guides for basil.

Frost risk in zone 6a

Zones are based on winter cold, not on frost dates, so the last spring frost varies a lot within a zone. Across zone 6a, the typical last frost ranges from about April 16 in the earliest tenth of ZIP codes to May 11 in the latest tenth, and the first fall frost from October 4 to October 24. For a typical place in the zone:

  • April 16Risky: a later frost happens in 9 years out of 10
  • April 29Typical: frost after this date in half of years
  • May 14Safe: a later frost only 1 year in 10

Basil are killed by frost, so if you want to be safe, plant out after the safe date rather than the typical one, or be ready to cover plants on a cold night.

Your dates for basil

Set your ZIP code at the top of the page and we will work out when to plant basil where you live, from the frost records of the nearest NOAA weather station. Your ZIP code is remembered on this device only.

Enter your ZIP code

Basil in zone 6a cities

CityTypical last frostStart indoorsPlant out
Chicago, ILApr 11Mar 24 to Apr 7May 12 to 19
Indianapolis city, INApr 15Mar 17 to 31May 5 to 12
Denver, COMay 4Apr 3 to 17May 22 to 29
Colorado Springs, COMay 3Apr 5 to 19May 24 to 31
Omaha, NEApr 18Mar 19 to Apr 2May 7 to 14
Aurora, COMay 4Apr 3 to 17May 22 to 29
Lincoln, NEApr 24Mar 21 to Apr 4May 9 to 16
Fort Wayne, INApr 24Mar 24 to Apr 7May 12 to 19
Grand Rapids, MIApr 29Mar 31 to Apr 14May 19 to 26
Lakewood, COMay 5Apr 6 to 20May 25 to Jun 1
Springfield, MAMay 3Apr 1 to 15May 20 to 27
Joliet, ILApr 19Mar 28 to Apr 11May 16 to 23

How to grow basilAll zonesBasil in zone 5bBasil in zone 6bAbout zone 6a

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