FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in New Jersey

In a typical New Jersey location, start seeds indoors Mar 4 – Mar 11, then transplant outdoors Apr 22 – Apr 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 2 in Atlantic City and as late as May 7 in Manville.

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
NewarkFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
Jersey CityFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
PatersonMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
ElizabethFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
EdisonMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
TrentonMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 24 – May 1
Toms RiverMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
CliftonMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
CamdenFeb 16 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
BrickMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
PassaicFeb 20 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17
Cherry HillMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
Union CityFeb 16 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
BayonneFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
MiddletownMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 24 – May 1
East OrangeFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
North BergenFeb 16 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
IrvingtonFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
VinelandFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
South VinelandMar 13 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
WayneMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 21 – Apr 28
New BrunswickMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
UnionFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
PiscatawayMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
JacksonMar 17 – Mar 24May 5 – May 12
LakewoodMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
HobokenFeb 16 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
West New YorkFeb 16 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
Perth AmboyMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
PlainfieldFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25

Showing the 30 most populous of 223 New Jersey cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all New Jersey cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in New Jersey?

In a typical New Jersey location, start seeds indoors Mar 4 – Mar 11, then transplant outdoors Apr 22 – Apr 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 2 in Atlantic City and as late as May 7 in Manville.

When is the last frost in New Jersey?

The average last spring frost in New Jersey ranges from March 26 in Atlantic City to April 30 in Manville, 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 New Jersey

When to plant basil in other states

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