Rainline Garden

When to plant basil in Baker City, OR

Start basil from seed indoors Apr 13–27, then plant the young plants in the garden in Baker City May 25 – Jun 22.

Moderate Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

Baker City's typical last spring frost is May 25. Frost kills basil, so planting starts once frost risk drops, around May 25. Keep row cover or a frost blanket handy for the first couple of weeks, since a late frost is still possible.

High desert and mountains. Central and high eastern Oregon. Frost is possible almost any month. Use row covers, wall-o-water or cloches for warm crops, and choose short-season varieties.

Difficulty
Moderate
Sun
Full sun
Spacing
12 inches apart
Planting depth
Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot
Frost
Killed by frost
First harvest
About 60 days after planting

Step by step

  1. Start seeds indoors Apr 13–27 in trays or small pots under a grow light or in your sunniest window. Or skip this step and buy young plants (starts) at a garden center.
  2. Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
  3. Plant them in the garden May 25 – Jun 22, 12 inches apart. Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot.
  4. Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
  5. Harvest: Pinch off the top pair of leaves often so plants bush out, and remove flower buds.

Varieties that do well here

  • Genovese
  • Thai
  • Spicy Globe

Watch out for

Cold. Basil blackens below about 40°F, so it goes out last and comes in at the first chilly night.

Blackens below about 40°F, so it's the last thing to go out.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Baker City, OR?

Typically May 25. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 16. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Baker City Municipal Airport.

Is it too late to plant basil in Baker City?

The spring planting window runs through June 22. Later plantings may not have time to produce before the first fall frost, which usually arrives around September 15.

When should I start basil from seed indoors in Baker City?

April 13 to April 27, which is 6 to 4 weeks before the May 25 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Baker City around the same time

Planting dates for basil in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Baker City · Basil in every city