FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in District of Columbia

In a typical District of Columbia location, start seeds indoors Feb 15 – Feb 22, then transplant outdoors Apr 5 – Apr 12. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 31 in Washington and as late as Apr 16 in Chevy Chase.

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
WashingtonFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
Downtown DCFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
Columbia HeightsFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
Mount PleasantFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
Central 14th Street / Spring RoadFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
Northwest OneFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
Foggy BottomFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
Mount Vernon TriangleFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
H Street NEFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
Pleasant PlainsFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
NoMaFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
PetworthFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
Capitol RiverfrontFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
Park ViewFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
Golden TriangleFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
ShawFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
BrightwoodFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
Adams MorganFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
Kennedy StreetFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
Southwest WaterfrontFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
Barracks RowFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
Union MarketFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
AnacostiaFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
Colorado TriangleFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
Brentwood VillageFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
The WharfFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus BarnFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
Van NessFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
Benning RoadFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
HillcrestFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12

Showing the 30 most populous of 35 District of Columbia cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all District of Columbia cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in District of Columbia?

In a typical District of Columbia location, start seeds indoors Feb 15 – Feb 22, then transplant outdoors Apr 5 – Apr 12. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 31 in Washington and as late as Apr 16 in Chevy Chase.

When is the last frost in District of Columbia?

The average last spring frost in District of Columbia ranges from March 24 in Washington to April 9 in Chevy Chase, 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 District of Columbia

When to plant basil in other states

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