FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in Pennsylvania

In a typical Pennsylvania location, start seeds indoors Mar 9 – Mar 16, then transplant outdoors Apr 27 – May 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 6 in Philadelphia and as late as May 22 in Hermitage.

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
PhiladelphiaFeb 16 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
PittsburghMar 13 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
AllentownMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 27 – May 4
ErieMar 15 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
ReadingMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 21 – Apr 28
ScrantonMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
BethlehemMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 27 – May 4
BensalemMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 28 – May 5
LancasterMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
AbingtonFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
LevittownMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 28 – May 5
HavertownFeb 16 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
HarrisburgMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
AltoonaMar 14 – Mar 21May 2 – May 9
YorkMar 15 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
State CollegeMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 27 – May 4
Wilkes-BarreMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
NorristownFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
ChesterFeb 16 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
Mount LebanonMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
Bethel ParkMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
WayneFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
RadnorFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
WilliamsportMar 14 – Mar 21May 2 – May 9
MonroevilleMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
Cranberry TownshipFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
Drexel HillFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
PlumMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
Back MountainMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
EastonMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2

Showing the 30 most populous of 121 Pennsylvania cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Pennsylvania cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in Pennsylvania?

In a typical Pennsylvania location, start seeds indoors Mar 9 – Mar 16, then transplant outdoors Apr 27 – May 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 6 in Philadelphia and as late as May 22 in Hermitage.

When is the last frost in Pennsylvania?

The average last spring frost in Pennsylvania ranges from March 30 in Philadelphia to May 15 in Hermitage, 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 Pennsylvania

When to plant basil in other states

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