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When to plant basil in zone 7a

In zone 7a, where the last spring frost typically comes around April 16, start basil indoors March 17 to 31 and plant out May 5 to 12.

The zone 7a schedule for basil

Start seeds indoors
March 17 to 31
Plant out
May 5 to 12
Sow outdoors
May 5 to 12
Soil warm enough (60°F), about
May 5
First harvest, roughly
June 4 to 11

From the median frost dates of the NOAA stations assigned to the 3,981 ZIP codes in zone 7a, and the timing recommended by Cooperative Extension guides for basil.

Frost risk in zone 7a

Zones are based on winter cold, not on frost dates, so the last spring frost varies a lot within a zone. Across zone 7a, the typical last frost ranges from about April 5 in the earliest tenth of ZIP codes to April 29 in the latest tenth, and the first fall frost from October 15 to November 2. For a typical place in the zone:

  • April 1Risky: a later frost happens in 9 years out of 10
  • April 16Typical: frost after this date in half of years
  • May 3Safe: 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 7a cities

CityTypical last frostStart indoorsPlant out
Louisville/Jefferson County, KYMar 31Feb 28 to Mar 14Apr 18 to 25
Wichita, KSApr 11Mar 10 to 24Apr 28 to May 5
Lexington-Fayette urban county, KYApr 13Mar 9 to 23Apr 27 to May 4
St. Louis, MOApr 8Mar 8 to 22Apr 26 to May 3
Amarillo, TXApr 13Mar 9 to 23Apr 27 to May 4
Providence, RIApr 11Apr 1 to 15May 20 to 27
Paterson, NJApr 3Mar 18 to Apr 1May 6 to 13
Bridgeport, CTApr 5Mar 28 to Apr 11May 16 to 23
Meridian, IDApr 24Mar 28 to Apr 11May 16 to 23
Stamford, CTApr 12Mar 30 to Apr 13May 18 to 25
New Haven, CTApr 5Mar 28 to Apr 11May 16 to 23
Allentown, PAApr 20Mar 21 to Apr 4May 9 to 16

How to grow basilAll zonesBasil in zone 6bBasil in zone 7bAbout zone 7a

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