When to plant basil in California
California spans USDA zones 6b–11a, so the right time to plant basil shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about January 12 in San Mateo to June 23 in Truckee — below are local dates for 497 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 10b | January 2 | December 26 | January 16 – January 23 |
| San Diego | 10b | January 6 | December 21 | January 20 – January 27 |
| San Jose | 9b | January 2 | December 25 | January 16 – January 23 |
| San Francisco | 10a | December 30 | December 25 | January 13 – January 20 |
| Fresno | 9b | January 14 | December 14 | January 28 – February 4 |
| Sacramento | 9b | January 12 | December 16 | January 26 – February 2 |
| Long Beach | 10b | January 9 | January 5 | January 23 – January 30 |
| Oakland | 10a | January 7 | December 23 | January 21 – January 28 |
Basil in California: FAQ
When can I plant basil in California?
Across California, the time to transplant basil spans roughly January 12 in San Mateo to June 23 in Truckee, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the basil planting date vary across California?
Yes. California publishes 497 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 California?
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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