When to plant basil in Riverside
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Riverside's last spring frost of Feb 16.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 26 – Mar 19
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 9 – Apr 30
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 8 – Jul 8
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
Riverside's 293-day season leaves this much room.
Basil on Riverside'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 16
DEC 6
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in Riverside?
Direct-sow around early April (Apr 9–Apr 30) in Riverside, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Riverside?
Expect to harvest from around early June (Jun 8–Jul 8) in Riverside, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 70%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Riverside?
Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 26–Mar 19) in Riverside, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in Riverside?
Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 9–Apr 30) in Riverside, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
How long is the growing season in Riverside?
Riverside has roughly 293 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 Riverside's frost dates.
Confidence 78/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.