When to plant basil in Salt Lake City
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Salt Lake City's last spring frost of Apr 13.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 29 – Apr 19
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 24 – Jun 14
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 23 – Aug 22
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
Salt Lake City's 194-day season leaves this much room.
Basil on Salt Lake 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
APR 13
OCT 26
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in Salt Lake City?
Direct-sow around late May (May 24–Jun 14) in Salt Lake City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Salt Lake City?
Expect to harvest from around late July (Jul 23–Aug 22) in Salt Lake City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Salt Lake City?
Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 29–Apr 19) in Salt Lake City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in Salt Lake City?
Transplant outdoors around late May (May 24–Jun 14) in Salt Lake City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
How long is the growing season in Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City has roughly 194 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 Salt Lake City's frost dates.
Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.