When to Plant Basil in Garfield County, OK
Garfield County, Oklahoma gardeners: here's your May plan
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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Time to start basil inside
These need a head start before your last frost (April 8). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.
June prep starts now
- First harvests: basil
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.
Garfield County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 203 days.
At an elevation of 935 feet, Garfield County receives approximately 26.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Basil during the growing season.
Garfield County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.3-7.8
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 Garfield County
How your county's soil matches Basil's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.3–7.8) is more alkaline than Basil prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Garfield County is excellent for Basil — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Basil will thrive.
How to Plant Basil
Succession Planting Basil
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 14 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.6" | 2.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.6" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.6" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.6" | 2.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.6" | 2.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.6" | 2.1" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 2.6" | 1.8" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Garfield 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 Planting Timeline — Garfield County, OK
Basil Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 18 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 22 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Direct Sow | April 15 | Apr 15 – May 6 |
| Harvest | June 17 | Jun 17 – Aug 19 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| 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: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
203 days in Garfield County
Growing Tips for Basil in Garfield County
Direct sow Basil outdoors after April 08 in Garfield 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
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 Garfield County, OK?
Garfield County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Basil planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Garfield County, OK?
Garfield County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 28.
Your Garfield County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Garfield County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.