When to plant basil in Marseille
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Marseille's last spring frost of Feb 22.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 8 – Mar 1
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 4 – May 25
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 3 – Aug 2
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
Marseille's 284-day season leaves this much room.
Basil on Marseille'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
FEB 22
DEC 3
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in Marseille?
Direct-sow around early May (May 4–May 25) in Marseille, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Marseille?
Expect to harvest from around early July (Jul 3–Aug 2) in Marseille, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Marseille?
Start seeds indoors around early February (Feb 8–Mar 1) in Marseille, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in Marseille?
Transplant outdoors around early May (May 4–May 25) in Marseille, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
How long is the growing season in Marseille?
Marseille has roughly 284 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 Marseille's frost dates.
Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.