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When to plant Basil in Comptche,

For Comptche, gardeners: plant Basil March 30 through April 20 once soil reads 50°F.

When to Plant Basil in Comptche, CA

Basil
Comptche, CA Zone 9b June

June to-do list for Comptche, CA

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost March 23
Avg. first frost November 9
Soil temp (4") 84°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Harvest basil as they ripen

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
  • First harvests: basil

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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.

Comptche, California is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.

At an elevation of 180 feet, Mendocino County receives approximately 24 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Basil during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Basil will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Comptche, CA (Zone 9b) Long season
231 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
231 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9
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Comptche Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.2

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 5.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 0.6" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.2" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0" 4.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0" 4.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.2" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Basil Planting Timeline — Comptche, CA

Basil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 9 Feb 9 – Feb 23
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 20
Harvest May 25 May 25 – Jul 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

50–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

231 days in Mendocino County

Growing Tips for Comptche

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 35°F, under 45% humidity.

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

When should I plant Basil in Comptche, ?

In Comptche, , plant Basil after the last frost (around March 23) and before the first frost (around November 9). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Comptche, for Basil?

Comptche sits in USDA Zone 9b. Basil grows reliably in zones 4a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Basil grow in Comptche's climate?

Yes — Basil grows well in Comptche's temperate climate. Comptche averages a 231-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 23 and first frost around November 9.

🌱

Your Mendocino County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Mendocino County (Zone 9b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Mendocino County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.