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When to Plant Thai Basil in Woodward County, OK

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.

Woodward County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 624 feet, Woodward County receives approximately 24.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Thai Basil during the growing season.

Woodward County, OK (Zone 6b) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Woodward County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 10

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 Woodward County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3โ€“7.7) overlaps with Thai Basil's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Woodward County is excellent for Thai Basil โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) โ€” Thai Basil will thrive.

How to Plant Thai Basil

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

Succession Planting Thai Basil

4
successive plantings in your 190-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 08 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 935 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 โ€” 0.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.3" 3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Woodward County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 ~859 GDD — county provides 2,612 GDD Excellent fit

Thai Basil Planting Timeline โ€” Woodward County, OK

Thai Basil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13
Direct Sow April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 13
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Aug 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“75 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

190 days in Woodward County

Growing Tips for Thai Basil in Woodward County

Direct sow Thai Basil outdoors after April 15 in Woodward County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Woodward County receives only 24" of rain annually. Thai Basil needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Woodward County, OK?

Woodward County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Thai Basil planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Woodward County, OK?

Woodward County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Woodward County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Woodward County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.