FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in Mississippi

In a typical Mississippi location, start seeds indoors Jan 30 – Feb 6, then transplant outdoors Mar 20 – Mar 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 19 in Biloxi and as late as Apr 10 in Oxford.

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
JacksonJan 23 – Jan 30Mar 13 – Mar 20
GulfportJan 7 – Jan 14Feb 25 – Mar 4
West GulfportJan 12 – Jan 19Mar 2 – Mar 9
SouthavenFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Mar 30
HattiesburgJan 25 – Feb 1Mar 15 – Mar 22
BiloxiJan 1 – Jan 8Feb 19 – Feb 26
MeridianFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Mar 30
Olive BranchFeb 12 – Feb 19Apr 2 – Apr 9
TupeloFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 28 – Apr 4
GreenvilleJan 30 – Feb 6Mar 20 – Mar 27
Horn LakeFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Mar 30
PearlJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 21 – Mar 28
MadisonJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 21 – Mar 28
StarkvilleFeb 9 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6
ClintonJan 23 – Jan 30Mar 13 – Mar 20
RidgelandJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 21 – Mar 28
BrandonJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 21 – Mar 28
ColumbusJan 30 – Feb 6Mar 20 – Mar 27
VicksburgJan 15 – Jan 22Mar 5 – Mar 12
OxfordFeb 20 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17
PascagoulaJan 25 – Feb 1Mar 15 – Mar 22
LaurelJan 29 – Feb 5Mar 19 – Mar 26
GautierJan 18 – Jan 25Mar 8 – Mar 15
Ocean SpringsJan 1 – Jan 8Feb 19 – Feb 26
ClarksdaleFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Mar 30
Long BeachJan 7 – Jan 14Feb 25 – Mar 4
HernandoFeb 14 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
GreenwoodFeb 3 – Feb 10Mar 24 – Mar 31
NatchezFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Mar 30
CorinthFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16

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

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in Mississippi?

In a typical Mississippi location, start seeds indoors Jan 30 – Feb 6, then transplant outdoors Mar 20 – Mar 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 19 in Biloxi and as late as Apr 10 in Oxford.

When is the last frost in Mississippi?

The average last spring frost in Mississippi ranges from February 12 in Biloxi to April 3 in Oxford, 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 Mississippi

When to plant basil in other states

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