When to plant basil in Baton Rouge
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Baton Rouge's last spring frost of Feb 17.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 11 – Mar 4
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 25 – Apr 15
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 24 – Jun 23
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
Baton Rouge's 278-day season leaves this much room.
Basil on Baton Rouge'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
FEB 17
NOV 24
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in Baton Rouge?
Direct-sow around late March (Mar 25–Apr 15) in Baton Rouge, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Baton Rouge?
Expect to harvest from around late May (May 24–Jun 23) in Baton Rouge, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Baton Rouge?
Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 11–Mar 4) in Baton Rouge, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in Baton Rouge?
Transplant outdoors around late March (Mar 25–Apr 15) in Baton Rouge, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.
How long is the growing season in Baton Rouge?
Baton Rouge has roughly 278 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 Baton Rouge's frost dates.
Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.