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When to Plant Basil in Crook County, OR

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.

Crook County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost is September 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 102 days.

At an elevation of 2,233 feet, Crook County receives approximately 21 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Basil during the growing season.

Crook County, OR (Zone 6a) Short season
102 days
Last Spring Frost June 9
102 growing days
First Fall Frost September 19

Crook County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 11 Transplant: Jun 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Oct 10
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 21 Transplant: Jun 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Oct 20
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 4 Transplant: Jul 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 31 – Nov 2

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 147 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Basil needs ~859 GDD — county provides 1,402 GDD Excellent fit

Basil Planting Timeline โ€” Crook County, OR

Basil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 5
Transplant Outdoors June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Jul 7
Direct Sow June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Jul 7
Harvest August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Oct 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 6a

Growing Season

102 days

Growing Tips for Crook 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 Crook County, OR?

Crook County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 9. Plan your Basil planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Crook County, OR?

Crook County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 9 and first fall frost is September 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Crook County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Crook County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.