When to plant basil in Irvine
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Irvine's last spring frost.
Step 1 · Sow
Direct sow outdoors
Mar 22 – Apr 12
Sow straight into warm, workable soil.
Step 2 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 21 – Jun 20
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
From sowing to first pick.
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in Irvine?
Direct-sow around late March (Mar 22–Apr 12) in Irvine, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Irvine?
Expect to harvest from around late May (May 21–Jun 20) in Irvine, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 71%.
How long is the growing season in Irvine?
Irvine has roughly 365 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 Irvine's frost dates.
Confidence 79/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.