When to Plant Basil

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GardenSays

Start basil seeds indoors Mar 24 – Apr 7, transplant outside May 12 – May 19.

Start seeds indoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7
Transplant outside: May 12 – May 19
Last frost (typ.): May 5

In Minneapolis, MN, the typical last frost lands around May 5. Working back 4-6 weeks gives you a seed-starting window of Mar 24 – Apr 7 indoors. Basil plants are even more cold-sensitive than tomatoes, so wait until May 12-May 19 — after frost danger AND once soil hits ~70°F.

That leaves roughly 139 days of growing season before the typical first fall frost (Oct 5) — enough for most varieties. In a short-season area, favor early-maturing varieties (check the days-to-maturity on the tag).

⚠ This year's transplant window (May 12 – May 19) has passed — dates shown are for planning next season.

Why

✓Frost kills tender seedlings outright, and cold soil stunts them even without frost — both dates matter.
✓The 50% frost date is a planning midpoint: a late frost is still possible, so keep covers handy for the first two weeks.

When this doesn't apply

→Season extenders (row covers, walls of water, cold frames) let you plant 2-3 weeks earlier than these windows.
→Frost dates are area averages — low spots and valley floors run colder than the local average.

How this was calculated

1. Last spring frostMay 5
Minneapolis, MN: typical (50% probability) last 32°F frost
2. Seed starting windowMar 24 – Apr 7
Basil: start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost (May 5)
3. Transplant windowMay 12 – May 19
Basil is very frost-tender: go out 7-14 days after the last frost, once soil reaches 70°F
4. First fall frostOct 5
Minneapolis, MN: typical first 32°F frost in fall — the season's endpoint

Data sources

University of Minnesota Extension — Growing basil in home gardens — Basil is extremely cold-sensitive: transplant only after frost danger with warm soil and nights; even light chill damages leaves. (checked 2026-07-15)
NOAA NCEI — 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals (freeze date probabilities) (checked 2026-07-15)
National Gardening Association — frost date lookup (checked 2026-07-15)

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