When to Plant Basil in Clawson, UT
What to do in June
June is a pivotal month for Clawson, UT gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
-
Sow basil in trays indoors
Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.
Before July arrives, get these ready
- First harvests: basil
Basil is a fragrant warm-season herb essential to Italian and Thai cuisines. It comes in many varieties including sweet, Thai, purple, and lemon types.
Clawson, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.
At an elevation of 7,259 feet, Emery County receives approximately 15.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Basil during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Basil successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Clawson Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.3-7.9
Drainage
Well Drained
Basil Planting Risk Windows
Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.
Soil Compatibility in Clawson
How your county's soil matches Basil's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.3–7.9) is more alkaline than Basil prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Emery County is excellent for Basil — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Basil.
How to Plant Basil
Succession Planting Basil
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 21 to harvest before frost.
Basil Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Basil
Basil needs approximately 0.6 inches of water per week (2.6" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Basil Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.6" | 2" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 2.6" | 1.1" | 1.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 2.6" | 1.4" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 2.6" | 1.6" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 2.6" | 1.1" | 1.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 2.6" | 1.5" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Emery County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Basil Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Basil Planting Timeline — Clawson, UT
Basil Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 25 | May 25 – Jun 8 |
| Direct Sow | May 18 | May 18 – Jun 8 |
| Harvest | July 20 | Jul 20 – Sep 21 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.6"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
50–75 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
146 days in Emery County
Growing Tips for Basil in Clawson
Direct sow Basil outdoors after May 11 in Emery County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
General growing tips
Start seeds indoors or direct sow after last frost. Pinch flower buds to extend leaf production. Harvest leaves from the top down, cutting just above a leaf pair.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Isolate 150 ft between varieties. Different basil species can cross.
Basil in Other Locations
Your Emery County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Emery County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.