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When to Plant Basil in Concordia Parish, LA

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.

Concordia Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 252 days.

At an elevation of 377 feet, Concordia Parish receives approximately 60.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Basil during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Basil root diseases.

Concordia Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Long season
252 days
Last Spring Frost March 8
252 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Concordia Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 11 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jul 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 18 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 6

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Basil needs ~1,188 GDD — county provides 4,788 GDD Excellent fit

Basil Planting Timeline โ€” Concordia Parish, LA

Basil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 18 Jan 18 โ€“ Feb 1
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Direct Sow March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Apr 5
Harvest May 17 May 17 โ€“ Jul 19

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

50โ€“75 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

252 days

Growing Tips for Concordia Parish

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

  • Rue
  • Sage

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ Save Your Own Basil Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Let flower spikes dry brown on the plant.
Storage Store airtight; viable 5 years at 35ยฐF, under 45% humidity.

Isolate 150 ft between varieties. Different basil species can cross.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Basil in Concordia Parish, LA?

Concordia Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 8. Plan your Basil planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Concordia Parish, LA?

Concordia Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 8 and first fall frost is November 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Concordia Parish gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Concordia Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.