How to Grow Basil (2026)
Tender annual; pinch flowers to prolong leaves.
Quick answer: Basil is a warm-season crop for zones 4–12 in full sun. Plant after the last frost, space 10″ apart, and expect harvest in about 60 days.
Build your Basil planting card
Pick your state for indoor-start, sow/transplant, and harvest dates you can print.
In Alabama (zone 7–9, last frost ≈ Mar 15, first frost ≈ Nov 15, 245-day season), your Basil plan:
Tender annual; pinch flowers to prolong leaves. Suits USDA zones 4–12. Dates are typical; confirm with your county extension and the 10-day forecast.
Growing tips
- Spacing: 10 inches between plants keeps air flowing and limits disease.
- Depth: sow seeds about 0.25″ deep (or set transplants at the same soil line).
- Sun: Full sun (6+ hours).
- Season: Wait until nights stay above 55°F and soil is warm.
Spacing & planting FAQ
Common basil problems
Symptoms, likely causes, fixes and prevention — each page is printable.
More warm-season crops
Spacing, depth, and days-to-harvest are typical values from university extension guides. Planting dates are computed from typical USDA/extension freeze dates (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023) + state cooperative extension typical freeze dates); confirm locally before acting.