When to plant basil in Madison
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Madison's last spring frost of May 5.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 18 – May 9
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 2 – Jun 23
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 1 – Aug 31
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
Madison's 151-day season leaves this much room.
Basil on Madison'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
MAY 5
OCT 6
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in Madison?
Direct-sow around early June (Jun 2–Jun 23) in Madison, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Madison?
Expect to harvest from around early August (Aug 1–Aug 31) in Madison, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Madison?
Start seeds indoors around mid April (Apr 18–May 9) in Madison, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in Madison?
Transplant outdoors around early June (Jun 2–Jun 23) in Madison, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
How long is the growing season in Madison?
Madison has roughly 151 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 Madison's frost dates.
Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.