When to plant basil in Iowa

Plant out in Des Moines

Apr 25–May 9

Across Iowa the window opens between April 22 and May 6. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Des Moines: Mar 7–Mar 21
Plant out, Des Moines: Apr 25–May 9
Sow outdoors, Des Moines: Apr 25–May 9
Last sowing for a harvest: Jul 23
Last frost, Des Moines: Apr 18

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

Des MoinesApr 25–May 9

Cedar RapidsMay 4–May 18

DavenportApr 26–May 10

Sioux CityMay 6–May 20

AnkenyApr 30–May 14

Iowa CityApr 28–May 12

West Des MoinesApr 25–May 9

AmesMay 3–May 17

WaterlooMay 4–May 18

Council BluffsApr 25–May 9

DubuqueApr 26–May 10

UrbandaleApr 26–May 10

MarionMay 5–May 19

Cedar FallsMay 4–May 18

BettendorfApr 23–May 7

WaukeeApr 25–May 9

MarshalltownMay 5–May 19

Mason CityMay 6–May 20

OttumwaApr 30–May 14

JohnstonApr 26–May 10

Fort DodgeMay 5–May 19

ClintonApr 29–May 13

CoralvilleApr 28–May 12

BurlingtonApr 22–May 6

MuscatineMay 1–May 15

AltoonaApr 30–May 14

North LibertyApr 28–May 12

Questions

When should I plant basil in Iowa?

In Des Moines, plant out from April 25 to May 9. Across Iowa the window opens between April 22 and May 6, 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 Iowa

Basil in other states

Frost dates for every city in Iowa