FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in Wisconsin

In a typical Wisconsin location, start seeds indoors Mar 19 – Mar 26, then transplant outdoors May 7 – May 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 26 in Kenosha and as late as May 18 in Merrill.

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
MilwaukeeMar 15 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
MadisonMar 20 – Mar 27May 8 – May 15
Green BayMar 26 – Apr 2May 14 – May 21
KenoshaMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
RacineMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 27 – May 4
AppletonMar 23 – Mar 30May 11 – May 18
WaukeshaMar 20 – Mar 27May 8 – May 15
Eau ClaireMar 13 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
OshkoshMar 13 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
JanesvilleMar 15 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
West AllisMar 15 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
La CrosseMar 16 – Mar 23May 4 – May 11
North La CrosseMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
SheboyganMar 14 – Mar 21May 2 – May 9
WauwatosaMar 15 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
Fond du LacMar 16 – Mar 23May 4 – May 11
New BerlinMar 22 – Mar 29May 10 – May 17
WausauMar 25 – Apr 1May 13 – May 20
BrookfieldMar 19 – Mar 26May 7 – May 14
GreenfieldMar 22 – Mar 29May 10 – May 17
BeloitMar 20 – Mar 27May 8 – May 15
FranklinMar 22 – Mar 29May 10 – May 17
Menomonee FallsMar 25 – Apr 1May 13 – May 20
Oak CreekMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
ManitowocMar 19 – Mar 26May 7 – May 14
Sun PrairieMar 20 – Mar 27May 8 – May 15
West BendMar 20 – Mar 27May 8 – May 15
FitchburgMar 20 – Mar 27May 8 – May 15
Stevens PointMar 23 – Mar 30May 11 – May 18
SuperiorMar 25 – Apr 1May 13 – May 20

Showing the 30 most populous of 96 Wisconsin cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Wisconsin cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in Wisconsin?

In a typical Wisconsin location, start seeds indoors Mar 19 – Mar 26, then transplant outdoors May 7 – May 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 26 in Kenosha and as late as May 18 in Merrill.

When is the last frost in Wisconsin?

The average last spring frost in Wisconsin ranges from April 19 in Kenosha to May 11 in Merrill, 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 Wisconsin

When to plant basil in other states

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