FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in Alabama

In a typical Alabama location, start seeds indoors Feb 7 – Feb 14, then transplant outdoors Mar 28 – Apr 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 28 in Mobile and as late as Apr 13 in Jacksonville.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 50–70 days

Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm.

Basil Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
HuntsvilleFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
BirminghamFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 28 – Apr 4
MontgomeryJan 30 – Feb 6Mar 20 – Mar 27
MobileJan 10 – Jan 17Feb 28 – Mar 7
TuscaloosaFeb 4 – Feb 11Mar 25 – Apr 1
HooverFeb 5 – Feb 12Mar 26 – Apr 2
DothanJan 18 – Jan 25Mar 8 – Mar 15
AuburnJan 30 – Feb 6Mar 20 – Mar 27
DecaturFeb 12 – Feb 19Apr 2 – Apr 9
MadisonFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
FlorenceFeb 13 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 10
Phenix CityJan 22 – Jan 29Mar 12 – Mar 19
GadsdenFeb 5 – Feb 12Mar 26 – Apr 2
East FlorenceFeb 13 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 10
PrattvilleJan 30 – Feb 6Mar 20 – Mar 27
Vestavia HillsFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 28 – Apr 4
AlabasterFeb 5 – Feb 12Mar 26 – Apr 2
OpelikaFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
EnterpriseJan 26 – Feb 2Mar 16 – Mar 23
BessemerFeb 9 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6
HomewoodFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 28 – Apr 4
AthensFeb 6 – Feb 13Mar 27 – Apr 3
DaphneFeb 1 – Feb 8Mar 22 – Mar 29
NorthportFeb 4 – Feb 11Mar 25 – Apr 1
DixianaFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
PelhamFeb 5 – Feb 12Mar 26 – Apr 2
PrichardJan 10 – Jan 17Feb 28 – Mar 7
AnnistonFeb 9 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6
AlbertvilleFeb 3 – Feb 10Mar 24 – Mar 31
OxfordFeb 9 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6

Showing the 30 most populous of 72 Alabama cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Alabama cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in Alabama?

In a typical Alabama location, start seeds indoors Feb 7 – Feb 14, then transplant outdoors Mar 28 – Apr 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 28 in Mobile and as late as Apr 13 in Jacksonville.

When is the last frost in Alabama?

The average last spring frost in Alabama ranges from February 21 in Mobile to April 6 in Jacksonville, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do basil take to grow?

Basil typically take 50–70 days from planting to harvest. Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm.

Other Crops in Alabama

When to plant basil in other states

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