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When to Plant Thai Basil in Tillamook County, OR

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.

Tillamook County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 332 feet, Tillamook County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Thai Basil during the growing season.

Tillamook County, OR (Zone 8b) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Tillamook County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 18

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 193 gal / 100 sq ft
Thai Basil needs ~859 GDD — county provides 2,653 GDD Excellent fit

Thai Basil Planting Timeline โ€” Tillamook County, OR

Thai Basil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 15
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 17
Direct Sow April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 17
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Aug 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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 8b

Growing Season

193 days

Growing Tips for Tillamook 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 Tillamook County, OR?

Tillamook County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Thai Basil planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tillamook County, OR?

Tillamook County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Tillamook County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Tillamook County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.