When to plant basil in Cheyenne, Wyoming

May 28 – June 13

Transplant outdoors · typical Cheyenne year

Climate basis: NOAA station Cheyenne Wfo, WY (USC00481676), 7 mi (12 km) from downtown Cheyenne (ZCTA 82001 centroid), elevation 6119 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant basil outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (May 14). One year in ten still freezes after May 28.

Last spring freezeMay 141-in-10 after May 28

First fall freezeOctober 11-in-10 before Sep 17

Frost-free season≈ 139 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°May 3 – Oct 10kills even hardy greens

USDA zone5b-15 to -10°F winter low — not frost timing

The Cheyenne year

Start seeds indoorsApr 9 – Apr 16

Transplant outdoorsMay 28 – Jun 13

Direct-sow outdoorsJun 13 – Jun 27

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to May 28

Basil in Cheyenne · freeze context from Cheyenne Wfo, WY, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Apr 9 – Apr 16

Iowa State: start seeds indoors 4 or 5 weeks before the last frost date. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (May 14). Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

Transplant outdoors

May 28 – Jun 13

UNH: set out 2 weeks after the last frost; Oklahoma State: plant one month after the last spring frost; Iowa State: after all danger of frost. The window spans the UNH and Oklahoma State recommendations. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (May 14). University of New Hampshire Extension · Oklahoma State University Extension · Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

Direct-sow outdoors

Jun 13 – Jun 27

Oklahoma State Table 1 times basil planting one month after the last spring frost; Iowa State adds direct sowing once nights stay above 50°F. Point rule given a 14-day span. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (May 14). Oklahoma State University Extension · Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

Variety assumption: Leaves are harvestable about 30–40 days after transplanting.

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:

Crop rule sources (3)

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: Growing Basil in the Home Garden (accessed 2026-07-24)
"Start seeds indoors 4 or 5 weeks before the last frost date." "Plant basil outdoors after all danger of frost is past."
University of New Hampshire Extension: Growing Vegetables: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden [fact sheet] (accessed 2026-07-24)
Per-crop 'time from seed to transplant' and 'safe to set out in garden' relative to last frost.
Oklahoma State University Extension: Culinary Herbs for Oklahoma Gardens: Culture, Use and Preservation (accessed 2026-07-24)
Table 1 planting times relative to last spring frost for common herbs.

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