When to plant basil in El Paso
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off El Paso's last spring frost of Mar 6.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 21 – Mar 14
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 4 – Apr 25
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 3 – Jul 3
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
El Paso's 252-day season leaves this much room.
Basil on El Paso'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 6
NOV 17
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in El Paso?
Direct-sow around early April (Apr 4–Apr 25) in El Paso, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 87%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in El Paso?
Expect to harvest from around early June (Jun 3–Jul 3) in El Paso, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in El Paso?
Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 21–Mar 14) in El Paso, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in El Paso?
Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 4–Apr 25) in El Paso, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 87%.
How long is the growing season in El Paso?
El Paso has roughly 252 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 El Paso's frost dates.
Confidence 87/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.