FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in Minnesota

In a typical Minnesota 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 28 in Winona and as late as Jun 12 in Hibbing.

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
MinneapolisMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
Saint PaulMar 13 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
RochesterMar 19 – Mar 26May 7 – May 14
BloomingtonMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
DuluthApr 2 – Apr 9May 21 – May 28
Brooklyn ParkMar 19 – Mar 26May 7 – May 14
PlymouthMar 18 – Mar 25May 6 – May 13
Maple GroveMar 19 – Mar 26May 7 – May 14
WoodburyMar 15 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
EaganMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
Saint CloudMar 26 – Apr 2May 14 – May 21
Eden PrairieMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
West Coon RapidsMar 19 – Mar 26May 7 – May 14
Coon RapidsMar 19 – Mar 26May 7 – May 14
BlaineMar 24 – Mar 31May 12 – May 19
BurnsvilleMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
LakevilleMar 16 – Mar 23May 4 – May 11
MinnetonkaMar 19 – Mar 26May 7 – May 14
Apple ValleyMar 16 – Mar 23May 4 – May 11
EdinaMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
Minnetonka MillsMar 18 – Mar 25May 6 – May 13
Saint Louis ParkMar 18 – Mar 25May 6 – May 13
MoorheadMar 24 – Mar 31May 12 – May 19
MankatoMar 19 – Mar 26May 7 – May 14
MaplewoodMar 15 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
ShakopeeMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
RichfieldMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
Cottage GroveMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
RosevilleMar 17 – Mar 24May 5 – May 12
Inver Grove HeightsMar 13 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8

Showing the 30 most populous of 104 Minnesota cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Minnesota cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in Minnesota?

In a typical Minnesota 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 28 in Winona and as late as Jun 12 in Hibbing.

When is the last frost in Minnesota?

The average last spring frost in Minnesota ranges from April 21 in Winona to June 5 in Hibbing, 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 Minnesota

When to plant basil in other states

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