When to plant basil in Toronto
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Toronto's last spring frost of May 3.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 13 – May 4
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 5 – Jun 26
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 4 – Sep 3
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
Toronto's 160-day season leaves this much room.
Basil on Toronto's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
FROST
FROST
MAY 3
OCT 12
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in Toronto?
Direct-sow around early June (Jun 5–Jun 26) in Toronto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Toronto?
Expect to harvest from around early August (Aug 4–Sep 3) in Toronto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Toronto?
Start seeds indoors around mid April (Apr 13–May 4) in Toronto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in Toronto?
Transplant outdoors around early June (Jun 5–Jun 26) in Toronto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
How long is the growing season in Toronto?
Toronto has roughly 160 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow basil to maturity outdoors.
The rule of thumb
Sow basil 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out 2–3 weeks after it. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Toronto's frost dates.
Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.