FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in Rhode Island

In a typical Rhode Island location, start seeds indoors Feb 28 – Mar 7, then transplant outdoors Apr 18 – Apr 25. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 14 in Newport and as late as May 8 in Narragansett.

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
ProvidenceFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
WarwickFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
CranstonFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
PawtucketMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
East ProvidenceFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
WoonsocketMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
CoventryMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
CumberlandMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
North ProvidenceFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
South KingstownMar 20 – Mar 27May 8 – May 15
West WarwickMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
JohnstonFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
North KingstownMar 16 – Mar 23May 4 – May 11
NewportFeb 24 – Mar 3Apr 14 – Apr 21
BristolFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
SmithfieldMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
LincolnMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
Central FallsMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
WesterlyFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
PortsmouthFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
MiddletownFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
BarringtonFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
NarragansettMar 20 – Mar 27May 8 – May 15
East GreenwichFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
Newport EastFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
Valley FallsMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
WarrenFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
North SmithfieldMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
North ScituateMar 14 – Mar 21May 2 – May 9

Showing the 29 most populous of 29 Rhode Island cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Rhode Island cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in Rhode Island?

In a typical Rhode Island location, start seeds indoors Feb 28 – Mar 7, then transplant outdoors Apr 18 – Apr 25. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 14 in Newport and as late as May 8 in Narragansett.

When is the last frost in Rhode Island?

The average last spring frost in Rhode Island ranges from April 7 in Newport to May 1 in Narragansett, 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 Rhode Island

When to plant basil in other states

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