FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in Indiana

In a typical Indiana location, start seeds indoors Mar 11 – Mar 18, then transplant outdoors Apr 29 – May 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 5 in Evansville and as late as May 9 in Auburn.

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
IndianapolisMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 27 – May 4
Fort WayneMar 13 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
EvansvilleFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
South BendMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
CarmelMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 28 – May 5
BloomingtonMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
HammondMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
GaryMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
FishersMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 28 – May 5
LafayetteMar 15 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
MuncieMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
Terre HauteMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
NoblesvilleMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 28 – May 5
KokomoMar 16 – Mar 23May 4 – May 11
GreenwoodMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 27 – May 4
AndersonMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
ElkhartMar 15 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
MishawakaMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
LawrenceMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
JeffersonvilleFeb 17 – Feb 24Apr 7 – Apr 14
ColumbusFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
West LafayetteMar 15 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
PortageMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
WestfieldMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 28 – May 5
New AlbanyFeb 17 – Feb 24Apr 7 – Apr 14
RichmondMar 13 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
MerrillvilleMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
GoshenMar 15 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
ValparaisoMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
Michigan CityMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3

Showing the 30 most populous of 88 Indiana cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Indiana cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in Indiana?

In a typical Indiana location, start seeds indoors Mar 11 – Mar 18, then transplant outdoors Apr 29 – May 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 5 in Evansville and as late as May 9 in Auburn.

When is the last frost in Indiana?

The average last spring frost in Indiana ranges from March 29 in Evansville to May 2 in Auburn, 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 Indiana

When to plant basil in other states

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