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When to Plant Basil in Piute County, UT

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.

Piute County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 7,866 feet, Piute County receives approximately 13.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Basil during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Basil successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Piute County, UT (Zone 5b) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
140 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Piute County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-8

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 โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.8" 3.5" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Piute County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Basil Planting Timeline โ€” Piute County, UT

Basil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Transplant Outdoors May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jun 11
Direct Sow May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 11
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Sep 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“75 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

140 days in Piute County

Growing Tips for Piute 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

  • Rue
  • Sage

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

๐ŸŒพ 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 35ยฐF, under 45% humidity.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Basil in Piute County, UT?

Piute County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Basil planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Piute County, UT?

Piute County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Piute County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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