When to plant basil in New York City
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off New York City's last spring frost of Mar 30.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 6 – Mar 27
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 20 – Jun 10
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 19 – Aug 18
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
New York City's 234-day season leaves this much room.
Basil on New York 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
MAR 30
NOV 19
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in New York City?
Direct-sow around mid May (May 20–Jun 10) in New York City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in New York City?
Expect to harvest from around mid July (Jul 19–Aug 18) in New York City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in New York City?
Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 6–Mar 27) in New York City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in New York City?
Transplant outdoors around mid May (May 20–Jun 10) in New York City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
How long is the growing season in New York City?
New York City has roughly 234 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 York City's frost dates.
Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.