FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in Missouri

In a typical Missouri location, start seeds indoors Feb 25 – Mar 4, then transplant outdoors Apr 15 – Apr 22. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 2 in Sikeston and as late as Apr 28 in Kirksville.

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
Kansas CityFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
St. LouisFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
SpringfieldFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
ColumbiaFeb 22 – Mar 1Apr 12 – Apr 19
IndependenceFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
Lee's SummitMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
O'FallonFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
Saint JosephMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
Saint CharlesFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
Blue SpringsFeb 24 – Mar 3Apr 14 – Apr 21
Saint PetersFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
FlorissantFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
JoplinFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
ChesterfieldFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
Jefferson CityFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
Cape GirardeauFeb 22 – Mar 1Apr 12 – Apr 19
OakvilleFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
WildwoodMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 19 – Apr 26
WentzvilleFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
University CityFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
BallwinFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
LibertyMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
RaytownFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
MehlvilleFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
KirkwoodFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
Maryland HeightsFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
GladstoneFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
HazelwoodFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
GrandviewFeb 24 – Mar 3Apr 14 – Apr 21
Webster GrovesFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15

Showing the 30 most populous of 90 Missouri cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Missouri cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in Missouri?

In a typical Missouri location, start seeds indoors Feb 25 – Mar 4, then transplant outdoors Apr 15 – Apr 22. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 2 in Sikeston and as late as Apr 28 in Kirksville.

When is the last frost in Missouri?

The average last spring frost in Missouri ranges from March 26 in Sikeston to April 21 in Kirksville, 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 Missouri

When to plant basil in other states

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