FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in Virginia

In a typical Virginia 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 Mar 23 in Newport News and as late as May 3 in Radford.

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
Virginia BeachFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
NorfolkFeb 9 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6
ChesapeakeFeb 9 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6
RichmondFeb 20 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17
ArlingtonFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
Newport NewsFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Mar 30
AlexandriaFeb 20 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17
East HamptonFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
HamptonFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
RoanokeFeb 20 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17
Portsmouth HeightsFeb 9 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6
PortsmouthFeb 9 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6
SuffolkFeb 13 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 10
South SuffolkFeb 13 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 10
LynchburgMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 24 – May 1
CentrevilleMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
Dale CityFeb 14 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
West LynchburgMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 24 – May 1
RestonMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 21 – Apr 28
HarrisonburgMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 28 – May 5
LeesburgMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
McLeanFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
CharlottesvilleFeb 22 – Mar 1Apr 12 – Apr 19
TuckahoeFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
BlacksburgMar 13 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
AshburnMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
DanvilleFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
ManassasMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 19 – Apr 26
Lake RidgeMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 19 – Apr 26
BurkeMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 21 – Apr 28

Showing the 30 most populous of 118 Virginia cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Virginia cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in Virginia?

In a typical Virginia 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 Mar 23 in Newport News and as late as May 3 in Radford.

When is the last frost in Virginia?

The average last spring frost in Virginia ranges from March 16 in Newport News to April 26 in Radford, 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 Virginia

When to plant basil in other states

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