FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in Ohio

In a typical Ohio location, start seeds indoors Mar 11 – Mar 18, then transplant outdoors Apr 29 – May 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 15 in Cleveland and as late as May 15 in Girard.

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
ColumbusMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 27 – May 4
ClevelandFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
CincinnatiMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
ToledoMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 27 – May 4
AkronMar 13 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
DaytonMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
ParmaMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 27 – May 4
CantonMar 13 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
YoungstownMar 20 – Mar 27May 8 – May 15
LorainMar 13 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
HamiltonMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
SpringfieldMar 14 – Mar 21May 2 – May 9
KetteringMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
ElyriaMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
LakewoodMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 27 – May 4
Cuyahoga FallsMar 19 – Mar 26May 7 – May 14
MiddletownMar 13 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
NewarkMar 18 – Mar 25May 6 – May 13
EuclidFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
MentorMar 15 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
MansfieldMar 15 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
BeavercreekMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
DublinMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
Cleveland HeightsFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
StrongsvilleMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 27 – May 4
FairfieldMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
FindlayMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
WarrenMar 27 – Apr 3May 15 – May 22
LancasterMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
Grove CityMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7

Showing the 30 most populous of 203 Ohio cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Ohio cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in Ohio?

In a typical Ohio location, start seeds indoors Mar 11 – Mar 18, then transplant outdoors Apr 29 – May 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 15 in Cleveland and as late as May 15 in Girard.

When is the last frost in Ohio?

The average last spring frost in Ohio ranges from April 8 in Cleveland to May 8 in Girard, 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 Ohio

When to plant basil in other states

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