When to plant basil in Virginia
Virginia’s average last spring frost is April 15, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 20 — about 188 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Basil needs 30–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Virginia's growing season.
Virginia covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant basil in Virginia: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 22 – May 9, with seeds started indoors Mar 4 – Mar 18. Wait until the soil is at least 65°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Virginia: May 20 · Jun 10 · Jul 1 · Jul 22 · Aug 12 · Sep 2
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 Virginia, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 4 – Mar 18). 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 22 – May 9). 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 29 – Jun 28). 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 Virginia’s average frost dates. More in the full basil growing guide.
Basil planting dates by USDA zone in Virginia
Virginia spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia (this page) | April 15 | Apr 22 – May 9 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | Apr 27 – May 14 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | May 8 – May 25 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Apr 21 – May 8 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Apr 21 – May 8 |
| District of Columbia | April 10 | Apr 17 – May 4 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | May 12 – May 29 |
Questions gardeners in Virginia ask
When is the best time to plant basil in Virginia?
Plant basil transplants outdoors in Virginia between April 22 and May 9. That timing is set by Virginia's average last spring frost of April 15; Virginia spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Virginia?
Start seeds indoors between March 4 and March 18, about 5 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 22.
What is the latest I can plant basil in Virginia?
About September 20. Basil needs at least 30 days to mature, and frost around October 20 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will basil planted in Virginia be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, basil is usually ready from about May 29 to June 28, 30-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Virginia?
On average around April 15, with the first fall frost around October 20 - about 188 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.