Blog

When to Plant Thai Basil in Clinton County, NY

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.

Clinton County, New York is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 109 feet, Clinton County receives approximately 47.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Thai Basil to ensure they mature before fall.

Clinton County, NY (Zone 4b) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Clinton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Sep 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: Jun 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Oct 19

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Thai Basil needs ~812 GDD — county provides 1,963 GDD Excellent fit

Thai Basil Planting Timeline โ€” Clinton County, NY

Thai Basil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jun 13
Direct Sow May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jun 6
Harvest July 25 Jul 25 โ€“ Sep 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

50โ€“75 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 4b

Growing Season

151 days

Growing Tips for Clinton 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 Clinton County, NY?

Clinton County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Thai Basil planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clinton County, NY?

Clinton County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clinton County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Clinton County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.