When to plant basil in Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s average last spring frost is April 1, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 1 — about 214 frost-free days (USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Basil needs 30–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Oklahoma's growing season.
When to plant basil in Oklahoma: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 8 – Apr 25, with seeds started indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4. Wait until the soil is at least 65°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Oklahoma: May 6 · May 27 · Jun 17 · Jul 8 · Jul 29 · Aug 19 · Sep 9
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 Oklahoma, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 18 – Mar 4). 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 (Apr 8 – Apr 25). 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 15 – Jun 14). 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 Oklahoma’s average frost dates. More in the full basil growing guide.
Basil planting dates by USDA zone in Oklahoma
Oklahoma spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma (this page) | April 1 | Apr 8 – Apr 25 |
| North Dakota | May 15 | May 22 – Jun 8 |
| South Dakota | May 10 | May 17 – Jun 3 |
| Nebraska | April 30 | May 7 – May 24 |
| Kansas | April 15 | Apr 22 – May 9 |
Questions gardeners in Oklahoma ask
When is the best time to plant basil in Oklahoma?
Plant basil transplants outdoors in Oklahoma between April 8 and April 25. That timing is set by Oklahoma's average last spring frost of April 1.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Oklahoma?
Start seeds indoors between February 18 and March 4, about 5 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 8.
What is the latest I can plant basil in Oklahoma?
About October 2. Basil needs at least 30 days to mature, and frost around November 1 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will basil planted in Oklahoma be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, basil is usually ready from about May 15 to June 14, 30-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Oklahoma?
On average around April 1, with the first fall frost around November 1 - about 214 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.