When to Plant Basil in Lima, Illinois (62348)

Location

Lima, Illinois

ZIP Code

62348

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Monday, April 20, 2026

📅 Planting Calendar

Start Seeds Indoors Monday, February 23, 2026

Transplant Outdoors Monday, May 4, 2026

Pro Tip: Start Basil seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Monday, May 4, 2026.

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Ocimum basilicum

Days to Maturity 60 days

Mature Height 12-24"

Spread 12"

Type Bush

Fruit Size N/A

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Regular (keep moist)

↔️

Spacing

12" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.25" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 5-10 days

Ready to Plant Basil in Lima?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Monday, February 23, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

TomatoPepperOreganoAsparagus

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

RueSage

See the full companion planting guide for Basil →

Other Plants for Lima

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Basil in Zone 6a

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Lima, Illinois, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a, you should start seeds indoors around Monday, February 23, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Monday, April 20, 2026. Plan to transplant your Basil seedlings outdoors around Monday, May 4, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.