When to plant basil in Nashville
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Nashville's last spring frost of Mar 30.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 12 – Apr 2
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 23 – May 14
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 22 – Jul 22
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
Nashville's 218-day season leaves this much room.
Basil on Nashville'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 30
NOV 2
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in Nashville?
Direct-sow around late April (Apr 23–May 14) in Nashville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Nashville?
Expect to harvest from around late June (Jun 22–Jul 22) in Nashville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Nashville?
Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 12–Apr 2) in Nashville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in Nashville?
Transplant outdoors around late April (Apr 23–May 14) in Nashville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.
How long is the growing season in Nashville?
Nashville has roughly 218 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 Nashville's frost dates.
Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.