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When to Plant Basil in North Dakota

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.

North Dakota spans USDA hardiness zones 4a (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

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Click your county for exact Basil planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Basil Planting Calendar for North Dakota

Zone 4a ~145 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 6 · First frost: September 28 · 145 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors May 27 May 27 – Jun 10
Direct Sow May 13 May 13 – Jun 3
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 – Sep 23

Growing Tips for North Dakota

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Basil in North Dakota?

Planting dates for Basil in North Dakota depend on your USDA zone. North Dakota spans zones 4a. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is North Dakota for planting?

North Dakota contains USDA hardiness zones 4a. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: April 2026.