When to plant basil in Charleston
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Charleston's last spring frost of Apr 16.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 30 – Apr 20
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 11 – Jun 1
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 10 – Aug 9
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
Charleston's 186-day season leaves this much room.
Basil on Charleston'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
APR 16
OCT 21
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in Charleston?
Direct-sow around mid May (May 11–Jun 1) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Charleston?
Expect to harvest from around early July (Jul 10–Aug 9) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Charleston?
Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 30–Apr 20) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in Charleston?
Transplant outdoors around mid May (May 11–Jun 1) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.
How long is the growing season in Charleston?
Charleston has roughly 186 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 Charleston's frost dates.
Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.