When to plant basil in Vancouver
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Vancouver's last spring frost of Feb 27.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 6 – Feb 27
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 23 – Jul 14
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 22 – Sep 21
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
Vancouver's 274-day season leaves this much room.
Basil on Vancouver'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
FEB 27
NOV 25
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in Vancouver?
Direct-sow around late June (Jun 23–Jul 14) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Vancouver?
Expect to harvest from around late August (Aug 22–Sep 21) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Vancouver?
Start seeds indoors around early February (Feb 6–Feb 27) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in Vancouver?
Transplant outdoors around late June (Jun 23–Jul 14) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
How long is the growing season in Vancouver?
Vancouver has roughly 274 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 Vancouver's frost dates.
Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.