FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in Tennessee

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Feb 23 – Mar 2, then transplant outdoors Apr 13 – Apr 20. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 23 in New South Memphis and as late as Apr 28 in Bristol.

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
NashvilleFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
New South MemphisFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Mar 30
MemphisFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Mar 30
KnoxvilleFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
ChattanoogaFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
ClarksvilleFeb 20 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17
MurfreesboroFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
East ChattanoogaFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
FranklinFeb 20 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17
CordovaFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
JacksonFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
Johnson CityMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
BartlettFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
HendersonvilleFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
KingsportFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
ColliervilleFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
SmyrnaMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
ClevelandFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
BrentwoodMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
GermantownFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
HermitageFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
ColumbiaFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
Spring HillFeb 20 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17
La VergneMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
GallatinMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
CookevilleMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 21 – Apr 28
Mount JulietFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
LebanonFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
MorristownFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
Oak RidgeFeb 22 – Mar 1Apr 12 – Apr 19

Showing the 30 most populous of 70 Tennessee cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Tennessee cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in Tennessee?

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Feb 23 – Mar 2, then transplant outdoors Apr 13 – Apr 20. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 23 in New South Memphis and as late as Apr 28 in Bristol.

When is the last frost in Tennessee?

The average last spring frost in Tennessee ranges from March 16 in New South Memphis to April 21 in Bristol, 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 Tennessee

When to plant basil in other states

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