FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in New York

In a typical New York location, start seeds indoors Feb 27 – Mar 6, then transplant outdoors Apr 17 – Apr 24. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 2 in Elmhurst and as late as May 24 in Corning.

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
New York CityFeb 16 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
BrooklynFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
QueensFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
ManhattanFeb 16 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
The BronxFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
Staten IslandFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
BuffaloMar 13 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
JamaicaFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
RochesterMar 13 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
YonkersMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 27 – May 4
AstoriaFeb 16 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
SyracuseMar 18 – Mar 25May 6 – May 13
AmherstMar 13 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
ElmhurstFeb 12 – Feb 19Apr 2 – Apr 9
CoronaFeb 12 – Feb 19Apr 2 – Apr 9
AlbanyMar 16 – Mar 23May 4 – May 11
Richmond HillFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
West AlbanyMar 16 – Mar 23May 4 – May 11
GreenburghMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 27 – May 4
New RochelleFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
South Ozone ParkFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
CheektowagaMar 13 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
RidgewoodFeb 12 – Feb 19Apr 2 – Apr 9
Mount VernonFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
Forest HillsFeb 12 – Feb 19Apr 2 – Apr 9
Jackson HeightsFeb 12 – Feb 19Apr 2 – Apr 9
BaysideFeb 12 – Feb 19Apr 2 – Apr 9
SchenectadyMar 16 – Mar 23May 4 – May 11
UticaMar 20 – Mar 27May 8 – May 15
BrentwoodFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 17 – Apr 24

Showing the 30 most populous of 267 New York cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all New York cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in New York?

In a typical New York location, start seeds indoors Feb 27 – Mar 6, then transplant outdoors Apr 17 – Apr 24. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 2 in Elmhurst and as late as May 24 in Corning.

When is the last frost in New York?

The average last spring frost in New York ranges from March 26 in Elmhurst to May 17 in Corning, 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 York

When to plant basil in other states

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