When to plant basil in Tucson
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Tucson's last spring frost of Feb 27.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 10 – Mar 3
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 24 – Apr 14
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 23 – Jun 22
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
Tucson's 278-day season leaves this much room.
Basil on Tucson'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
FEB 27
NOV 27
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in Tucson?
Direct-sow around late March (Mar 24–Apr 14) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Tucson?
Expect to harvest from around late May (May 23–Jun 22) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Tucson?
Start seeds indoors around early February (Feb 10–Mar 3) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in Tucson?
Transplant outdoors around late March (Mar 24–Apr 14) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
How long is the growing season in Tucson?
Tucson has roughly 278 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 Tucson's frost dates.
Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.