When to plant basil in zone 6a
A planting schedule for basil in USDA hardiness zone 6a, where the typical last spring frost is around Apr 29, 2026 and the first fall frost around Oct 16, 2026. Dates are computed from NOAA frost normals for a representative location (Utica, OH) — your exact dates depend on your address.
Basil planting schedule for zone 6a
- Start seeds indoorsApr 9, 2026 – Aug 25, 2026
- Start hardening offMay 7, 2026 – Sep 12, 2026
- Transplant outdoorsMay 21, 2026 – Sep 22, 2026
Playing it safe with tender crops? Spring frost holds off until about May 14, 2026 in roughly 9 years out of 10.
Zone 6a covers a lot of ground. Enter your ZIP for basil dates worked out from your nearest weather station:
Free on one garden — no credit card. See the full basil growing guide or the whole zone 6a calendar.
Basil in other zones
More crops for zone 6a
Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals for a representative location (Utica, OH) in zone 6a; your exact dates depend on your address. Schedules are guidance, not guarantees.