FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in Iowa

In a typical Iowa location, start seeds indoors Mar 10 – Mar 17, then transplant outdoors Apr 28 – May 5. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 17 in Keokuk and as late as May 10 in Grinnell.

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
Des MoinesMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
Cedar RapidsMar 17 – Mar 24May 5 – May 12
DavenportMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
Sioux CityMar 18 – Mar 25May 6 – May 13
Iowa CityMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 28 – May 5
WaterlooMar 16 – Mar 23May 4 – May 11
AmesMar 15 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
West Des MoinesMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
Council BluffsMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
DubuqueMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
AnkenyMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
UrbandaleMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
Cedar FallsMar 16 – Mar 23May 4 – May 11
MarionMar 17 – Mar 24May 5 – May 12
BettendorfMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
MarshalltownMar 17 – Mar 24May 5 – May 12
Mason CityMar 18 – Mar 25May 6 – May 13
ClintonMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
BurlingtonMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
Fort DodgeMar 17 – Mar 24May 5 – May 12
OttumwaMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
MuscatineMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
JohnstonMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
CoralvilleMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 28 – May 5
WaukeeMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
AltoonaMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 28 – May 5
North LibertyMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 28 – May 5
IndianolaMar 13 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
CliveMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
NewtonMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6

Showing the 30 most populous of 45 Iowa cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Iowa cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in Iowa?

In a typical Iowa location, start seeds indoors Mar 10 – Mar 17, then transplant outdoors Apr 28 – May 5. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 17 in Keokuk and as late as May 10 in Grinnell.

When is the last frost in Iowa?

The average last spring frost in Iowa ranges from April 10 in Keokuk to May 3 in Grinnell, 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 Iowa

When to plant basil in other states

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