FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in Kentucky

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Mar 1 – Mar 8, then transplant outdoors Apr 19 – Apr 26. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 7 in Louisville and as late as May 8 in Shelbyville.

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
LouisvilleFeb 17 – Feb 24Apr 7 – Apr 14
LexingtonMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
Lexington-FayetteMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
MeadsMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
Bowling GreenFeb 22 – Mar 1Apr 12 – Apr 19
OwensboroFeb 20 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17
CovingtonMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
RichmondMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
GeorgetownMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
FlorenceMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
HopkinsvilleFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
NicholasvilleFeb 24 – Mar 3Apr 14 – Apr 21
ElizabethtownMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
HendersonFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
FrankfortMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
JeffersontownFeb 20 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17
IndependenceMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
PaducahFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
Valley StationFeb 17 – Feb 24Apr 7 – Apr 14
RadcliffMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
AshlandMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
NewburgFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
MadisonvilleFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
MurrayFeb 22 – Mar 1Apr 12 – Apr 19
ErlangerMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
WinchesterMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 27 – May 4
Fern CreekFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
Saint MatthewsFeb 20 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17
OkolonaFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
DanvilleFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23

Showing the 30 most populous of 52 Kentucky cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Kentucky cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in Kentucky?

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Mar 1 – Mar 8, then transplant outdoors Apr 19 – Apr 26. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 7 in Louisville and as late as May 8 in Shelbyville.

When is the last frost in Kentucky?

The average last spring frost in Kentucky ranges from March 31 in Louisville to May 1 in Shelbyville, 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 Kentucky

When to plant basil in other states

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