FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in Michigan

In a typical Michigan location, start seeds indoors Mar 19 – Mar 26, then transplant outdoors May 7 – May 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 26 in Port Huron and as late as May 26 in Cadillac.

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
DetroitMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 28 – May 5
Grand RapidsMar 25 – Apr 1May 13 – May 20
WarrenMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 28 – May 5
Sterling HeightsMar 19 – Mar 26May 7 – May 14
Ann ArborMar 24 – Mar 31May 12 – May 19
LansingMar 20 – Mar 27May 8 – May 15
Clinton TownshipMar 19 – Mar 26May 7 – May 14
FlintMar 25 – Apr 1May 13 – May 20
DearbornMar 16 – Mar 23May 4 – May 11
LivoniaMar 20 – Mar 27May 8 – May 15
CantonMar 13 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
TroyMar 15 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
WestlandMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 27 – May 4
Farmington HillsMar 20 – Mar 27May 8 – May 15
KalamazooMar 17 – Mar 24May 5 – May 12
WaterfordMar 18 – Mar 25May 6 – May 13
WyomingMar 25 – Apr 1May 13 – May 20
ShelbyMar 15 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
Rochester HillsMar 15 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
SouthfieldMar 20 – Mar 27May 8 – May 15
West Bloomfield TownshipMar 18 – Mar 25May 6 – May 13
TaylorMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 27 – May 4
PontiacMar 15 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
Saint Clair ShoresMar 18 – Mar 25May 6 – May 13
Royal OakMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 28 – May 5
NoviMar 20 – Mar 27May 8 – May 15
Dearborn HeightsMar 20 – Mar 27May 8 – May 15
Battle CreekMar 19 – Mar 26May 7 – May 14
KentwoodMar 25 – Apr 1May 13 – May 20
RedfordMar 20 – Mar 27May 8 – May 15

Showing the 30 most populous of 120 Michigan cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Michigan cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in Michigan?

In a typical Michigan location, start seeds indoors Mar 19 – Mar 26, then transplant outdoors May 7 – May 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 26 in Port Huron and as late as May 26 in Cadillac.

When is the last frost in Michigan?

The average last spring frost in Michigan ranges from April 19 in Port Huron to May 19 in Cadillac, 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 Michigan

When to plant basil in other states

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