When to plant basil in Wellington
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Wellington's last spring frost of Sep 1.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jul 28 – Aug 18
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Sep 8 – Sep 29
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Nov 7 – Dec 7
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
Wellington's 273-day season leaves this much room.
Basil on Wellington'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
SEP 1
JUN 1
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in Wellington?
Direct-sow around early September (Sep 8–Sep 29) in Wellington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Wellington?
Expect to harvest from around early November (Nov 7–Dec 7) in Wellington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 72%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Wellington?
Start seeds indoors around late July (Jul 28–Aug 18) in Wellington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in Wellington?
Transplant outdoors around early September (Sep 8–Sep 29) in Wellington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
How long is the growing season in Wellington?
Wellington has roughly 273 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 Wellington's frost dates.
Confidence 80/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.