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When to Plant Basil in Tillman County, OK

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.

Tillman County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 807 feet, Tillman County receives approximately 25.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Basil during the growing season.

Tillman County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Tillman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 26

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 993 gal / 100 sq ft
Basil needs ~1,000 GDD — county provides 3,472 GDD Excellent fit

Basil Planting Timeline โ€” Tillman County, OK

Basil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 1
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ May 1
Harvest June 12 Jun 12 โ€“ Aug 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 7b

Growing Season

217 days

Growing Tips for Tillman 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

  • 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 Tillman County, OK?

Tillman County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Basil planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tillman County, OK?

Tillman County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Tillman County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Tillman County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.