When to plant basil in Atlanta
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Atlanta's last spring frost of Mar 28.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 7 – Mar 28
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 18 – May 9
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 17 – Jul 17
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
Atlanta's 229-day season leaves this much room.
Basil on Atlanta'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 7
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in Atlanta?
Direct-sow around mid April (Apr 18–May 9) in Atlanta, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Atlanta?
Expect to harvest from around mid June (Jun 17–Jul 17) in Atlanta, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Atlanta?
Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 7–Mar 28) in Atlanta, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in Atlanta?
Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 18–May 9) in Atlanta, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
How long is the growing season in Atlanta?
Atlanta has roughly 229 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 Atlanta's frost dates.
Confidence 82/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.