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When to Plant Thai Basil in Doddridge County, WV

Doddridge County, West Virginia Zone 6b May

This month in Doddridge County, West Virginia

Here's what deserves your attention in Doddridge County, West Virginia this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 6b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 28
Avg. first frost October 18
Soil temp (4") 63°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Get thai basil in the ground

    Your last frost (April 28) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.

  2. Sow thai basil where they'll grow

    Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.

Looking ahead to June
  • Starting indoors: thai basil

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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.

Doddridge County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 1,474 feet, Doddridge County receives approximately 48.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Thai Basil during the growing season.

Doddridge County, WV (Zone 6b) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18
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Doddridge County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 27

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 Doddridge County

How your county's soil matches Thai Basil's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–7.0) overlaps with Thai Basil's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Doddridge County is excellent for Thai Basil — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Thai Basil.

How to Plant Thai Basil

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Thai Basil

4
successive plantings in your 173-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 04 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Thai Basil

Thai 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 Thai Basil Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Doddridge County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Thai 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.

Thai Basil needs ~1,141 GDD — county provides 3,157 GDD Excellent fit

Thai Basil Planting Timeline — Doddridge County, WV

Thai Basil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 – Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 – May 26
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 – May 26
Harvest July 7 Jul 7 – Sep 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

50–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

173 days in Doddridge County

Growing Tips for Thai Basil in Doddridge County

Direct sow Thai Basil outdoors after April 28 in Doddridge County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

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 Doddridge County, WV?

Doddridge County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Thai Basil planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Doddridge County, WV?

Doddridge County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 18.

🌱

Your Doddridge County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Doddridge 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.

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.