FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in North Carolina

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Feb 17 – Feb 24, then transplant outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 25 in Morehead City and as late as May 9 in Boone.

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
CharlotteFeb 16 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
RaleighFeb 14 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
GreensboroFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
DurhamFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
Winston-SalemFeb 12 – Feb 19Apr 2 – Apr 9
FayettevilleFeb 16 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
CaryFeb 14 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
WilmingtonFeb 5 – Feb 12Mar 26 – Apr 2
High PointFeb 16 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
AshevilleFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
GreenvilleFeb 13 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 10
ConcordFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
GastoniaFeb 13 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 10
JacksonvilleFeb 17 – Feb 24Apr 7 – Apr 14
Chapel HillFeb 17 – Feb 24Apr 7 – Apr 14
Rocky MountFeb 17 – Feb 24Apr 7 – Apr 14
HuntersvilleFeb 16 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
BurlingtonFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
WilsonFeb 8 – Feb 15Mar 29 – Apr 5
KannapolisFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
ApexFeb 13 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 10
HickoryFeb 17 – Feb 24Apr 7 – Apr 14
Wake ForestFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
Indian TrailFeb 17 – Feb 24Apr 7 – Apr 14
MooresvilleFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
GoldsboroFeb 14 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
MonroeFeb 20 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17
SalisburyFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
Holly SpringsFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
MatthewsFeb 17 – Feb 24Apr 7 – Apr 14

Showing the 30 most populous of 95 North Carolina cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all North Carolina cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in North Carolina?

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Feb 17 – Feb 24, then transplant outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 25 in Morehead City and as late as May 9 in Boone.

When is the last frost in North Carolina?

The average last spring frost in North Carolina ranges from March 18 in Morehead City to May 2 in Boone, 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 North Carolina

When to plant basil in other states

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