When to plant basil in Vancouver
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Vancouver's last spring frost of Mar 28.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 21 – Mar 14
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 4 – Apr 25
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 3 – Jul 3
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
Vancouver's 222-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
MAR 28
NOV 5
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in Vancouver?
Direct-sow around early April (Apr 4–Apr 25) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Vancouver?
Expect to harvest from around early June (Jun 3–Jul 3) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Vancouver?
Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 21–Mar 14) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in Vancouver?
Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 4–Apr 25) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
How long is the growing season in Vancouver?
Vancouver has roughly 222 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 86/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.