Basil: when to sow, plant out and harvest
Sowing, planting and harvest dates for your climate, good and bad companions, growing tips.
When to sow in your region
Average dates, computed from the frost dates of each climate. For your exact dates, choose your town.
| Climate | Sow under cover | Sow outdoors | Plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern France | 4 March – 24 March | 29 April – 19 May | 29 April – 19 May | 1 July – 31 October |
| Atlantic coast | 22 February – 14 March | 19 April – 9 May | 19 April – 9 May | 21 June – 4 November |
| Eastern France | 24 February – 16 March | 21 April – 11 May | 21 April – 11 May | 23 June – 29 October |
| Mediterranean | 21 January – 10 February | 18 March – 7 April | 18 March – 7 April | 20 May – 20 November |
| Mountains (around 1,000 m) | 29 March – 18 April | 24 May – 13 June | 24 May – 13 June | 26 July – 29 September |
Growing
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Latin name
- Ocimum basilicum
- Cold tolerance
- Tender (killed by frost)
- Soil temperature to germinate
- 15 °C minimum
- Emergence
- 6–9 days
- Between rows
- 30–40 cm
- In the row
- 20–30 cm
Companion planting
The level of evidence is shown for each pairing: many rest on tradition rather than on studies.
Good neighbours
- Sweet and chilli peppersExtension service
- TomatoExtension service
- AsparagusTradition
- CabbageTradition
- Courgette (zucchini)Tradition
- CucumberTradition
- Florence fennelTradition
- Melon (cantaloupe)Tradition
- PotatoTradition
- Winter squash and pumpkinTradition
Keep apart
No documented pairing.
Sources
- La Bonne Graine (seed company) — Le calendrier des semis et des plants
- Royal Horticultural Society — Grow your own herb guides (basil, parsley, chives, dill, coriander, thyme, sage, mint, rosemary, oregano, marjoram, tarragon, chervil, lovage, lemon balm, sorrel)
- The Old Farmer's Almanac — Planting Calendar (New York City, last frost Apr 3; cross-checked with Minneapolis, last frost Apr 30)
- Gerbeaud — Mémento des semis de légumes
- Jardinamel — Germination (durée, température)
- Tous au potager — Distance de plantation des légumes : tableau des espacements