FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in Maryland

In a typical Maryland location, start seeds indoors Feb 20 – Feb 27, then transplant outdoors Apr 10 – Apr 17. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 29 in California and as late as May 1 in Westminster.

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
BaltimoreFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
ColumbiaFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
GermantownMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 21 – Apr 28
Silver SpringFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
FrederickFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
WaldorfFeb 20 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17
Glen BurnieFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
GaithersburgFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
RockvilleFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
Ellicott CityFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
DundalkFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
BethesdaFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
BowieMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
TowsonFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
Aspen HillFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
WheatonFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
Bel Air SouthFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
Gwynn OakFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
PotomacFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
SevernFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
North BethesdaFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
CatonsvilleFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
AnnapolisFeb 13 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 10
HagerstownFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
EssexFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
HanoverFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
WoodlawnFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
Severna ParkFeb 13 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 10
OdentonFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
Saint CharlesFeb 20 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17

Showing the 30 most populous of 151 Maryland cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Maryland cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in Maryland?

In a typical Maryland location, start seeds indoors Feb 20 – Feb 27, then transplant outdoors Apr 10 – Apr 17. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 29 in California and as late as May 1 in Westminster.

When is the last frost in Maryland?

The average last spring frost in Maryland ranges from March 22 in California to April 24 in Westminster, 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 Maryland

When to plant basil in other states

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