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When to Plant Basil in Pacific County, WA

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.

Pacific County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 14 feet, Pacific County receives approximately 47.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Basil during the growing season.

Pacific County, WA (Zone 8b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Pacific County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 19

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Basil needs ~906 GDD — county provides 2,813 GDD Excellent fit

Basil Planting Timeline โ€” Pacific County, WA

Basil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 16
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Aug 29

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 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 8b

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Pacific 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 Pacific County, WA?

Pacific County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Basil planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pacific County, WA?

Pacific County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pacific County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Pacific County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.