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When to Plant Basil in Yoakum 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.

Yoakum County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 213 days.

At an elevation of 4,523 feet, Yoakum County receives approximately 53.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Basil may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Basil will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Basil root diseases.

Yoakum County, TX (Zone 7a) Long season
213 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
213 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Yoakum County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.6-8.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 29

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Basil needs ~1,328 GDD — county provides 4,526 GDD Excellent fit

Basil Planting Timeline โ€” Yoakum County, TX

Basil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Aug 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
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 7a

Growing Season

213 days

Growing Tips for Yoakum 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 Yoakum County, TX?

Yoakum County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Basil planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Yoakum County, TX?

Yoakum County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Yoakum County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Yoakum County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.