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When to plant basil in zone 7b

In zone 7b, where the last spring frost typically comes around April 5, start basil indoors March 8 to 22 and plant out April 26 to May 3.

The zone 7b schedule for basil

Start seeds indoors
March 8 to 22
Plant out
April 26 to May 3
Sow outdoors
April 26 to May 3
Soil warm enough (60°F), about
April 26
First harvest, roughly
May 26 to June 2

From the median frost dates of the NOAA stations assigned to the 3,025 ZIP codes in zone 7b, and the timing recommended by Cooperative Extension guides for basil.

Frost risk in zone 7b

Zones are based on winter cold, not on frost dates, so the last spring frost varies a lot within a zone. Across zone 7b, the typical last frost ranges from about March 30 in the earliest tenth of ZIP codes to April 17 in the latest tenth, and the first fall frost from October 24 to November 18. For a typical place in the zone:

  • March 20Risky: a later frost happens in 9 years out of 10
  • April 5Typical: frost after this date in half of years
  • April 21Safe: 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 7b cities

CityTypical last frostStart indoorsPlant out
New York, NYMar 30Mar 16 to 30May 4 to 11
Philadelphia, PAMar 30Mar 8 to 22Apr 26 to May 3
Nashville-Davidson, TNMar 31Feb 23 to Mar 9Apr 13 to 20
Oklahoma City, OKApr 4Mar 1 to 15Apr 19 to 26
Albuquerque, NMApr 6Mar 11 to 25Apr 29 to May 6
Tulsa, OKMar 31Feb 23 to Mar 9Apr 13 to 20
Newark, NJApr 2Mar 17 to 31May 5 to 12
Jersey City, NJApr 2Mar 17 to 31May 5 to 12
Reno, NVApr 20Mar 27 to Apr 10May 15 to 22
Lubbock, TXApr 4Feb 21 to Mar 7Apr 11 to 18
Richmond, VAApr 3Mar 3 to 17Apr 21 to 28
Salt Lake City, UTApr 8Mar 24 to Apr 7May 12 to 19

How to grow basilAll zonesBasil in zone 7aBasil in zone 8aAbout zone 7b

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