When to plant basil in Connecticut

Basil
Plant out in Bridgeport
Apr 12–Apr 26

Across Connecticut the window opens between April 12 and May 15. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Bridgeport
Feb 22–Mar 8
Plant out, Bridgeport
Apr 12–Apr 26
Sow outdoors, Bridgeport
Apr 12–Apr 26
Last sowing for a harvest
Aug 9
Last frost, Bridgeport
Apr 5

Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost; plant out 1–3 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Basil blackens below 50°F. Wait a week or two after the last frost.

Basil planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
BridgeportApr 12–Apr 26
StamfordApr 24–May 8
New HavenApr 24–May 8
HartfordApr 24–May 8
WaterburyMay 3–May 17
NorwalkApr 24–May 8
DanburyMay 8–May 22
New BritainApr 24–May 8
West HartfordApr 24–May 8
BristolMay 2–May 16
MeridenMay 3–May 17
West HavenApr 24–May 8
MilfordApr 12–Apr 26
East HartfordApr 24–May 8
MiddletownMay 3–May 17
SheltonMay 2–May 16
NorwichApr 21–May 5
ManchesterApr 24–May 8
TorringtonMay 15–May 29
NaugatuckApr 25–May 9
NewingtonApr 24–May 8
New LondonApr 23–May 7
East HavenApr 24–May 8
WethersfieldApr 24–May 8
North HavenApr 25–May 9

Questions

When should I plant basil in Connecticut?

In Bridgeport, plant out from April 12 to April 26. Across Connecticut the window opens between April 12 and May 15, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost; plant out 1–3 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Connecticut

Basil in other states

Frost dates for every city in Connecticut