Herb

When to Plant Basil in Oklahoma

The king of herbs. Basil and tomatoes are best friends in the garden and in the kitchen.

The Short Answer

In Oklahoma, plant basil based on your regional frost dates. Northern Oklahoma has a last frost around Apr 5 - Apr 20, while Southern Oklahoma sees frost end around Mar 15 - Apr 1. Hot summers. Severe thunderstorms and tornado risk. Good growing season length. Windy — windbreaks help gardens.

Oklahoma Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Oklahoma you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern Oklahoma 6b, 7a Apr 5 - Apr 20 Oct 15 - Nov 1
Central Oklahoma 7a, 7b Mar 25 - Apr 10 Oct 25 - Nov 10
Southern Oklahoma 7b Mar 15 - Apr 1 Nov 1 - Nov 15

Basil Planting Schedule for Oklahoma

Northern Oklahoma (Zones 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 20 · Average first frost: Oct 15 - Nov 1

Start Seeds Indoors
6 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Central Oklahoma (Zones 7a, 7b)

Average last frost: Mar 25 - Apr 10 · Average first frost: Oct 25 - Nov 10

Start Seeds Indoors
6 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Southern Oklahoma (Zones 7b)

Average last frost: Mar 15 - Apr 1 · Average first frost: Nov 1 - Nov 15

Start Seeds Indoors
6 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Growing Basil in Oklahoma

Basil in Oklahoma's Climate

Basil thrives in your warm climate and can produce for 5-6 months or more. In the deep South, basil may survive mild winters in sheltered locations. African Blue basil and Thai basil handle heat better than sweet Genovese. Watch for downy mildew in humid conditions — it's become a significant basil disease in warm, humid climates over the past decade.

Soil Considerations for Oklahoma

Red clay soils common. Alkaline in west. Rich prairie soils in east. Wind erosion in western panhandle. Make sure soil has warmed to at least 60°F before planting basil outside.

Oklahoma Climate & Growing Season

Hot summers. Severe thunderstorms and tornado risk. Good growing season length. Windy — windbreaks help gardens. Basil cannot tolerate any frost, so wait until all frost danger has passed before transplanting outside. Watch local forecasts carefully in spring.

Growing season length varies across Oklahoma: Northern Oklahoma (6b, 7a) has a last frost around Apr 5 - Apr 20, while Southern Oklahoma (7b) sees frost end around Mar 15 - Apr 1. This difference matters for basil — transplant timing shifts by several weeks across the state.

Growing Tips

Pinch off flower buds to keep leaves producing. Harvest from the top down, cutting just above a leaf pair. Succession plant for season-long supply.

Companion Planting

Plant basil alongside these companions for better growth:

Tomatoes Peppers Oregano

Keep basil away from:

Sage

The Bottom Line

Basil can be grown successfully across Oklahoma, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Oklahoma gardeners should plan around a Apr 5 - Apr 20 last frost, while those in Southern Oklahoma can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Basil Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Oklahoma Planting Calendar All plants for Oklahoma Basil in Alabama Alabama planting dates Basil in Alaska Alaska planting dates Basil in Arizona Arizona planting dates Basil in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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