When to plant basil in Wellington
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Wellington's last spring frost of Sep 19.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Sep 24 – Oct 15
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Dec 15 – Jan 5
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Feb 13 – Mar 15
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
Wellington's 256-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 19
JUN 2
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in Wellington?
Direct-sow around mid December (Dec 15–Jan 5) in Wellington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 48%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Wellington?
Expect to harvest from around mid February (Feb 13–Mar 15) in Wellington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 45%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Wellington?
Start seeds indoors around late September (Sep 24–Oct 15) in Wellington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 48%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in Wellington?
Transplant outdoors around mid December (Dec 15–Jan 5) in Wellington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 48%.
How long is the growing season in Wellington?
Wellington has roughly 256 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 50/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.