Rainline Garden

When to plant basil in Bend and Redmond, OR

Start basil from seed indoors Apr 28 – May 12, then plant the young plants in the garden in Bend and Redmond Jun 9 – Jul 7.

Moderate Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

Bend and Redmond's typical last spring frost is June 9. Frost kills basil, so planting starts once frost risk drops, around June 9. 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 28 – May 12 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 Jun 9 – Jul 7, 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 Bend and Redmond, OR?

Typically June 9. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 26. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Redmond Roberts Field.

Is it too late to plant basil in Bend and Redmond?

The spring planting window runs through July 7. Later plantings may not have time to produce before the first fall frost, which usually arrives around September 14.

When should I start basil from seed indoors in Bend and Redmond?

April 28 to May 12, which is 6 to 4 weeks before the June 9 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Bend and Redmond around the same time

Planting dates for basil in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Bend and Redmond · Basil in every city