When to Plant Basil in Sioux County, ND
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.
Sioux County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.
At an elevation of 1,012 feet, Sioux County receives approximately 32.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Basil to ensure they mature before fall.
Sioux County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.3-7.4
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant 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.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Basil Planting Timeline — Sioux County, ND
Basil Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 2 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 |
| Direct Sow | May 19 | May 19 – Jun 9 |
| Harvest | July 28 | Jul 28 – Sep 29 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | — |
| May | 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
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
50–75 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
USDA Zone
Zone 4a
Growing Season
142 days
Growing Tips for Sioux County
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
Level Up Your Garden
Isolate 150 ft between varieties. Different basil species can cross.
Basil in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Basil in Sioux County, ND?
Sioux County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Basil planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Sioux County, ND?
Sioux County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 1.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Sioux County gardeners in Zone 4a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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