When to plant basil in Santa Ana
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Santa Ana's last spring frost.
Step 1 · Sow
Direct sow outdoors
Mar 14 – Apr 4
Sow straight into warm, workable soil.
Step 2 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 13 – Jun 12
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 Santa Ana?
Direct-sow around mid March (Mar 14–Apr 4) in Santa Ana, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Santa Ana?
Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 13–Jun 12) in Santa Ana, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.
How long is the growing season in Santa Ana?
Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana's frost dates.
Confidence 85/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.