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When to plant Basil in Kiowa County County,

The best window to plant Basil in Kiowa County County, is April 22–May 13, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits April 15; first frost October 23.

When to Plant Basil in Kiowa County, KS

Basil
Kiowa County, Kansas Zone 6b June

Your June planting checklist for Kiowa County, Kansas

Welcome to June in Zone 6b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 15
Avg. first frost October 23
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Get basil seeds going inside

    Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.

  2. Collect basil at their peak

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • 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.

Kiowa County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 582 feet, Kiowa County receives approximately 25.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Basil during the growing season.

Kiowa County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Kiowa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Basil Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 10

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 Kiowa County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.2) overlaps with Basil's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Basil.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). Annual compost additions will help Basil.

How to Plant Basil

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

Succession Planting Basil

4
successive plantings in your 191-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 09 to harvest before frost.

Basil Water Budget

Plant needs
0.6″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 443 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 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.6" 2.5" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
May 2.6" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.6" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.6" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.6" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.6" 2.4" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.6" 1.5" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Kiowa 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 ~1,141 GDD — county provides 3,485 GDD Excellent fit

Basil Planting Timeline — Kiowa County, KS

Basil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 25 Feb 25 – Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 – May 13
Direct Sow April 22 Apr 22 – May 13
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 – Aug 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors 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

191 days in Kiowa County

Growing Tips for Basil in Kiowa County

Direct sow Basil outdoors after April 15 in Kiowa 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 Kiowa County, KS?

Kiowa County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Basil planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kiowa County, KS?

Kiowa County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 23.

When should I plant Basil in Kiowa County County, ?

In Kiowa County County, , plant Basil after the last frost (around April 15) and before the first frost (around October 23). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Kiowa County County, for Basil?

Kiowa County 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 Kiowa County County's climate?

Yes — Basil grows well in Kiowa County County's temperate climate. Kiowa County County averages a 191-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 15 and first frost around October 23.

🌱

Your Kiowa County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Kiowa 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.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Kiowa 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.