When to plant basil in San Jose
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off San Jose's last spring frost of Feb 12.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 3 – Feb 24
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 10 – May 31
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 9 – Aug 8
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
San Jose's 294-day season leaves this much room.
Basil on San Jose'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 12
DEC 3
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in San Jose?
Direct-sow around early May (May 10–May 31) in San Jose, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in San Jose?
Expect to harvest from around early July (Jul 9–Aug 8) in San Jose, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in San Jose?
Start seeds indoors around early February (Feb 3–Feb 24) in San Jose, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in San Jose?
Transplant outdoors around early May (May 10–May 31) in San Jose, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
How long is the growing season in San Jose?
San Jose has roughly 294 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 San Jose's frost dates.
Confidence 82/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.