When to plant basil in North Dakota

Basil
Plant out in Fargo
May 11–May 25

Across North Dakota the window opens between May 11 and May 28. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Fargo
Mar 23–Apr 6
Plant out, Fargo
May 11–May 25
Sow outdoors, Fargo
May 11–May 25
Last sowing for a harvest
Jul 5
Last frost, Fargo
May 4

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
FargoMay 11–May 25
BismarckMay 17–May 31
Grand ForksMay 17–May 31
MinotMay 17–May 31
West FargoMay 11–May 25
WillistonMay 28–Jun 11
DickinsonMay 27–Jun 10
MandanMay 20–Jun 3

Questions

When should I plant basil in North Dakota?

In Fargo, plant out from May 11 to May 25. Across North Dakota the window opens between May 11 and May 28, 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 North Dakota

Basil in other states

Frost dates for every city in North Dakota