When to plant basil in West Virginia
West Virginia’s average last spring frost is May 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 5 — about 153 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a). Basil needs 30–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within West Virginia's growing season.
When to plant basil in West Virginia: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out May 12 – May 29, with seeds started indoors Mar 24 – Apr 7. Wait until the soil is at least 65°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in West Virginia: Jun 9 · Jun 30 · Jul 21 · Aug 11
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 West Virginia, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 24 – Apr 7). 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 (May 12 – May 29). 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 Jun 18 – Jul 18). 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 West Virginia’s average frost dates. More in the full basil growing guide.
Basil planting dates by USDA zone in West Virginia
West Virginia spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia (this page) | May 5 | May 12 – May 29 |
| 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 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Apr 22 – May 9 |
Questions gardeners in West Virginia ask
When is the best time to plant basil in West Virginia?
Plant basil transplants outdoors in West Virginia between May 12 and May 29. That timing is set by West Virginia's average last spring frost of May 5.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in West Virginia?
Start seeds indoors between March 24 and April 7, about 5 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from May 12.
What is the latest I can plant basil in West Virginia?
About September 5. Basil needs at least 30 days to mature, and frost around October 5 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will basil planted in West Virginia be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, basil is usually ready from about June 18 to July 18, 30-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in West Virginia?
On average around May 5, with the first fall frost around October 5 - about 153 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.