When to plant basil in Kansas City
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Kansas City's last spring frost of Apr 3.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 11 – Apr 1
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 10 – May 31
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 9 – Aug 8
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
Kansas City's 212-day season leaves this much room.
Basil on Kansas City'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 3
OCT 30
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in Kansas City?
Direct-sow around early May (May 10–May 31) in Kansas City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Kansas City?
Expect to harvest from around early July (Jul 9–Aug 8) in Kansas City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Kansas City?
Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 11–Apr 1) in Kansas City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in Kansas City?
Transplant outdoors around early May (May 10–May 31) in Kansas City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
How long is the growing season in Kansas City?
Kansas City has roughly 212 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 Kansas City's frost dates.
Confidence 87/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.