When to plant basil in Lexington, Kentucky

April 27 – May 13

Transplant outdoors · typical Lexington year

Climate basis: NOAA station Lexington Bluegrass AP, KY (USW00093820), 6 mi (10 km) from downtown Lexington (ZCTA 40507 centroid), elevation 980 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant basil outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 13). One year in ten still freezes after May 1.

Last spring freezeApril 131-in-10 after May 1

First fall freezeOctober 281-in-10 before Oct 16

Frost-free season≈ 196 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Mar 31 – Nov 6kills even hardy greens

USDA zone7a0 to 5°F winter low — not frost timing

The Lexington year

Start seeds indoorsMar 9 – Mar 16

Transplant outdoorsApr 27 – May 13

Direct-sow outdoorsMay 13 – May 27

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

Basil in Lexington · freeze context from Lexington Bluegrass AP, KY, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Mar 9 – Mar 16

Iowa State: start seeds indoors 4 or 5 weeks before the last frost date. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 13). Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

Transplant outdoors

Apr 27 – May 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 (Apr 13). University of New Hampshire Extension · Oklahoma State University Extension · Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

Direct-sow outdoors

May 13 – May 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 (Apr 13). 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.

Keep exploring

This crop, other cities

Related crops in Lexington

Local overview