When to plant basil in Burns, OR

Start basil from seed indoors Apr 30 – May 14, then plant the young plants in the garden in Burns Jun 11 – Jul 9.

Moderate Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

Burns's typical last spring frost is June 11. Frost kills basil, so planting starts once frost risk drops, around June 11. 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

Start seeds indoors Apr 30 – May 14 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.
Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
Plant them in the garden Jun 11 – Jul 9, 12 inches apart. Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot.
Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
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 Burns, OR?

Typically June 11. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 28. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Burns Municipal Airport.

Is it too late to plant basil in Burns?

The spring planting window runs through July 9. Later plantings may not have time to produce before the first fall frost, which usually arrives around September 6.

When should I start basil from seed indoors in Burns?

April 30 to May 14, which is 6 to 4 weeks before the June 11 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.