When to Plant Basil in Door County, WI
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.
Door County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 150 days.
At an elevation of 564 feet, Door County receives approximately 41.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Basil during the growing season.
Door County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6-7.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in Door County
How your county's soil matches Basil's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.0–7.3) overlaps with Basil's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Door County is excellent for Basil — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Basil.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.7%) — Basil will thrive.
How to Plant Basil
Succession Planting Basil
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 25 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Basil Planting Timeline — Door County, WI
Basil Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 25 | May 25 – Jun 8 |
| Direct Sow | May 18 | May 18 – Jun 8 |
| Harvest | July 20 | Jul 20 – Sep 21 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.6"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
50–75 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
150 days in Door County
Growing Tips for Basil in Door County
Direct sow Basil outdoors after May 11 in Door County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
General growing tips
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
Level Up Your Garden
Isolate 150 ft between varieties. Different basil species can cross.
Basil in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Basil in Door County, WI?
Door County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Basil planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Door County, WI?
Door County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 8.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Door County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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