When to Plant Basil in Yates County, NY
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.
Yates County, New York is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.
At an elevation of 574 feet, Yates County receives approximately 44.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Basil during the growing season.
Yates County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Drainage
Well Drained
Basil Planting Timeline — Yates County, NY
Basil Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 20 | May 20 – Jun 3 |
| Direct Sow | May 13 | May 13 – Jun 3 |
| Harvest | July 15 | Jul 15 – Sep 16 |
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
Moderate — regular watering
📅 Days to Maturity
50–75 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
159 days in Yates County
Growing Tips for Yates 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Isolate 150 ft between varieties. Different basil species can cross.
Basil in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Basil in Yates County, NY?
Yates County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 6. Plan your Basil planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Yates County, NY?
Yates County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and first fall frost is October 12.
Your Yates County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Yates County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.