When to plant basil in Oakland
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Oakland's last spring frost.
Step 1 · Sow
Direct sow outdoors
May 10 – May 31
Sow straight into warm, workable soil.
Step 2 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 9 – Aug 8
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
From sowing to first pick.
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in Oakland?
Direct-sow around early May (May 10–May 31) in Oakland, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Oakland?
Expect to harvest from around early July (Jul 9–Aug 8) in Oakland, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 73%.
How long is the growing season in Oakland?
Oakland has roughly 365 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 Oakland's frost dates.
Confidence 81/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.