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When to Plant Thai Basil in Humphreys County, TN

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.

Humphreys County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.

At an elevation of 2,413 feet, Humphreys County receives approximately 49.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Thai Basil during the growing season.

Humphreys County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
207 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
207 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Humphreys County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 29

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 7 gal / 100 sq ft
Thai Basil needs ~1,188 GDD — county provides 3,933 GDD Excellent fit

Thai Basil Planting Timeline โ€” Humphreys County, TN

Thai Basil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 3
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Aug 16

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

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 7a

Growing Season

207 days

Growing Tips for Humphreys 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 Humphreys County, TN?

Humphreys County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Thai Basil planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Humphreys County, TN?

Humphreys County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Humphreys 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 Humphreys County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.