When to plant basil in New Orleans
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off New Orleans's last spring frost of Feb 8.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 4 – Feb 25
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 18 – Apr 8
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 17 – Jun 16
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
New Orleans's 304-day season leaves this much room.
Basil on New Orleans'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
FEB 8
DEC 9
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in New Orleans?
Direct-sow around mid March (Mar 18–Apr 8) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in New Orleans?
Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 17–Jun 16) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 73%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in New Orleans?
Start seeds indoors around early February (Feb 4–Feb 25) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in New Orleans?
Transplant outdoors around mid March (Mar 18–Apr 8) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
How long is the growing season in New Orleans?
New Orleans has roughly 304 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 New Orleans's frost dates.
Confidence 81/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.