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When to Plant Thai Basil in Prince George's County, MD

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.

Prince George's County, Maryland is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 322 feet, Prince George's County receives approximately 39.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Thai Basil during the growing season.

Prince George's County, MD (Zone 7a) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Prince George's County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 28

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Thai Basil needs ~1,094 GDD — county provides 3,902 GDD Excellent fit

Thai Basil Planting Timeline — Prince George's County, MD

Thai Basil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 – Apr 29
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 29
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 – Aug 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate — regular watering

Days to Maturity

50–75 days

Soil pH

6 – 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

223 days

Growing Tips for Prince George's 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Thai Basil in Prince George's County, MD?

Prince George's County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Thai Basil planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Prince George's County, MD?

Prince George's County, Maryland is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is November 10.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Prince George's County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Prince George's County, MD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.