Blog

When to Plant Basil in Robertson County, TX

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.

Robertson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 7 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 254 days.

At an elevation of 85 feet, Robertson County receives approximately 61.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 93Β°F, providing good warmth for Basil during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Basil, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Basil root diseases.

Robertson County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
254 days
Last Spring Frost March 7
254 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Robertson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.8-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Basil

Basil needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Basil Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan β€” 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb β€” 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.3" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 5.6" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 10" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 8.4" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8.3" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.2" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.2" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" πŸ’§ Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.3" 2" πŸ’§ Light watering
Dec β€” 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Robertson County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall β€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Basil Planting Timeline β€” Robertson County, TX

Basil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 17 Jan 17 – Jan 31
Transplant Outdoors March 21 Mar 21 – Apr 4
Direct Sow March 14 Mar 14 – Apr 4
Harvest May 16 May 16 – Jul 18

Plant 0.5" deep Β· 8" apart Β· Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

β˜€οΈ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

πŸ’§ Water

Moderate β€” regular watering

πŸ“… Days to Maturity

50–75 days

πŸ§ͺ Soil pH

Needs 6–7 Β· Your soil: N/A

πŸ—ΊοΈ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

πŸ“† Growing Season

254 days in Robertson County

Growing Tips for Robertson 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 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 35Β°F, under 45% humidity.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Basil in Robertson County, TX?

Robertson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 7. Plan your Basil planting based on this frost date β€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Robertson County, TX?

Robertson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 7 and first fall frost is November 16.

🌱

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner β€” designed to help Robertson County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Robertson County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.