When to Plant Basil in Lincoln County, WA
Your May gardening checklist
A quick May briefing for Lincoln County, Washington gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Scatter basil into prepared beds
Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.
Looking ahead to June
- Transplants going out: 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.
Lincoln County, Washington is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is September 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 130 days.
At an elevation of 2,955 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 21.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Basil during the growing season.
Lincoln County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.5-6.6
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 Lincoln County
How your county's soil matches Basil's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.5–6.6) overlaps with Basil's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Lincoln County is excellent for Basil — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Basil.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Basil will thrive.
How to Plant Basil
Succession Planting Basil
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 13 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.6" | 1.1" | 1.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 2.6" | 1" | 1.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 2.6" | 0.3" | 2.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 2.6" | 0.5" | 2.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 2.6" | 0.8" | 1.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Lincoln 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 — Lincoln County, WA
Basil Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 31 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 2 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 |
| Direct Sow | May 26 | May 26 – Jun 16 |
| Harvest | July 28 | Jul 28 – Sep 29 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | 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
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
130 days in Lincoln County
Growing Tips for Basil in Lincoln County
Direct sow Basil outdoors after May 19 in Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, WA?
Lincoln County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Basil planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lincoln County, WA?
Lincoln County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is September 26.
Your Lincoln County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lincoln 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.