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When to plant Basil in Haskell County County,

Haskell County County gardeners should plant Basil between April 25 and May 16 in spring. With Haskell County County's Zone 6b climate (last frost April 18), Basil needs 75 days to mature — plant by August 4 for a full harvest.

When to Plant Basil in Haskell County, KS

Basil
Haskell County, Kansas Zone 6b June

Your June gardening checklist

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 April 18
Avg. first frost October 18
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Fire up the seed-starting tray: basil

    These need a head start before your last frost (April 18). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

  2. It's harvest week for basil

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

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.

Haskell County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 824 feet, Haskell County receives approximately 24.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Basil during the growing season.

Haskell County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Haskell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Basil Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 13

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 Haskell County

How your county's soil matches Basil's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.4) overlaps with Basil's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Haskell County is excellent for Basil — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Basil will thrive.

How to Plant Basil

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Basil

4
successive plantings in your 183-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 04 to harvest before frost.

Basil Water Budget

Plant needs
0.6″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 78 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Basil

Basil needs approximately 0.6 inches of water per week (2.6" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Basil Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.6" 2.5" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
May 2.6" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.6" 1.6" 1" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.6" 2.2" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.6" 2.3" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 2.6" 2.2" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.6" 2.1" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Basil Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Basil needs ~859 GDD — county provides 2,516 GDD Excellent fit

Basil Planting Timeline — Haskell County, KS

Basil Planting Calendar

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

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.6"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

50–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

183 days in Haskell County

Growing Tips for Basil in Haskell County

Direct sow Basil outdoors after April 18 in Haskell 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

  • 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Basil in Haskell County, KS?

Haskell County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Basil planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Haskell County, KS?

Haskell County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 18.

When should I plant Basil in Haskell County, ?

In Haskell County, , plant Basil after the last frost (around April 18) and before the first frost (around October 18). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Haskell County, for Basil?

Haskell County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Basil grows reliably in zones 4a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Basil grow in Haskell County's climate?

Yes — Basil grows well in Haskell County's temperate climate. Haskell County averages a 183-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 18 and first frost around October 18.

🌱

Your Haskell County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Haskell County (Zone 6b). 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 Haskell County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.