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When to Plant Thai Basil in Windsor County, VT

Thai basil has a distinctive anise-licorice flavor with sturdy purple stems and small leaves. It is essential in Thai, Vietnamese, and other Southeast Asian cuisines.

Windsor County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.

At an elevation of 309 feet, Windsor County receives approximately 48.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Thai Basil to ensure they mature before fall.

Windsor County, VT (Zone 5a) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Windsor County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Thai Basil Planting Timeline — Windsor County, VT

Thai Basil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors May 26 May 26 – Jun 9
Direct Sow May 19 May 19 – Jun 9
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 – Sep 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
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 5a

📆 Growing Season

148 days in Windsor County

Growing Tips for Windsor County

Start seeds indoors or direct sow after last frost. Thai basil holds up better to heat in cooking than sweet basil. Pinch flowers to prolong leaf production.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Rue
  • Sage

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Thai Basil in Windsor County, VT?

Windsor County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Thai Basil planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Windsor County, VT?

Windsor County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 7.

🌱

Your Windsor County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Windsor County (Zone 5a). 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 Windsor County, VT. 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.