When to plant basil in Mississippi
Mississippi’s average last spring frost is March 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 5 — about 230 frost-free days (USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a). Basil needs 30–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Mississippi's growing season.
When to plant basil in Mississippi: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 27 – Apr 13, with seeds started indoors Feb 6 – Feb 20. Wait until the soil is at least 65°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Mississippi: Apr 24 · May 15 · Jun 5 · Jun 26 · Jul 17 · Aug 7 · Aug 28 · Sep 18
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow basil in Mississippi, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 6 – Feb 20). Sow seeds ⅛ inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 5-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 80°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 10 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Mar 27 – Apr 13). Space plants about 10 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: aphids, Japanese beetle, slugs. Diseases and disorders: basil downy mildew, fusarium wilt, damping off.
- Harvest (from about May 3 – Jun 2). Basil takes 30-60 days to reach harvest. Cold soil stalls it - wait for warm nights. Pinch above a leaf pair every couple of weeks and remove flower buds to keep leaves coming. Downy mildew-resistant varieties are worth seeking out.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Mississippi’s average frost dates. More in the full basil growing guide.
Basil planting dates by USDA zone in Mississippi
Mississippi spans USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the basil dates shift with them.
When to plant basil in nearby states
Questions gardeners in Mississippi ask
When is the best time to plant basil in Mississippi?
Plant basil transplants outdoors in Mississippi between March 27 and April 13. That timing is set by Mississippi's average last spring frost of March 20.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Mississippi?
Start seeds indoors between February 6 and February 20, about 5 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 27.
What is the latest I can plant basil in Mississippi?
About October 6. Basil needs at least 30 days to mature, and frost around November 5 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will basil planted in Mississippi be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, basil is usually ready from about May 3 to June 2, 30-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Mississippi?
On average around March 20, with the first fall frost around November 5 - about 230 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.