When to plant basil in Alabama
Alabama spans USDA zones 7b–9a, so the right time to plant basil shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about March 7 in Mobile to April 20 in Jacksonville — below are local dates for 70 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | 8a | March 24 | November 8 | April 7 – April 14 |
| Mobile | 9a | February 21 | December 6 | March 7 – March 14 |
| Birmingham | 8a | March 21 | November 11 | April 4 – April 11 |
| Montgomery | 8b | March 4 | November 18 | March 18 – March 25 |
| Tuscaloosa | 8b | March 18 | November 10 | April 1 – April 8 |
| Hoover | 8a | March 19 | November 8 | April 2 – April 9 |
| Auburn | 8b | March 13 | November 17 | March 27 – April 3 |
| Dothan | 9a | March 1 | November 24 | March 15 – March 22 |
Basil in Alabama: FAQ
When can I plant basil in Alabama?
Across Alabama, the time to transplant basil spans roughly March 7 in Mobile to April 20 in Jacksonville, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the basil planting date vary across Alabama?
Yes. Alabama publishes 70 cities with their own frost dates, so the right basil planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does basil take to grow in Alabama?
Basil takes about 60–75 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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