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When to Plant Basil in Delaware

🌱

Start Seeds Indoors

Sunday, February 8, 2026

Transplant outdoors: Sunday, April 19, 2026

State

Delaware

USDA Zones

7a, 7b, 8a

Avg Last Frost

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Cities Covered

57

Delaware Planting Schedule by Zone

Delaware spans 3 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.

Zone Last Frost Start Indoors Transplant
7a Friday, April 10, 2026 Friday, February 13, 2026 Friday, April 24, 2026
7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
8a Friday, March 20, 2026 Friday, January 23, 2026 Friday, April 3, 2026

Dates based on average last frost. Check your local forecast before planting.

🌿 About Basil

Scientific Name Ocimum basilicum
Days to Maturity 60 days
Plant Type Bush
Sun Full Sun (6-8 hours)
Water Regular (keep moist)
Spacing 12" apart

🤝 Companion Plants for Basil

Good Companions

TomatoPepperOreganoAsparagus

Avoid Planting Near

RueSage
See the full companion planting guide for Basil →

Growing Basil in Delaware: Complete Guide

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a warm-season crop that needs a head start indoors before Delaware's last frost. Most Delaware gardeners begin seeds indoors around Sunday, February 8, 2026 and move transplants outside around Sunday, April 19, 2026, after the risk of frost has passed.

Because Delaware stretches across 3 USDA hardiness zones (7a, 7b, 8a), planting windows can shift by as much as two to four weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 60 days to maturity, Basil needs the indoor head start that Delaware's growing season requires. Starting indoors ensures you have strong transplants ready the moment outdoor conditions are right.

Basil requires full sun (6-8 hours) and regular (keep moist) moisture. Most of Delaware receives adequate sunlight during the growing season, though gardeners in humid eastern regions should watch for fungal issues and ensure good air circulation.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of Delaware.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Basil in Delaware?

In Delaware, start Basil seeds indoors around Sunday, February 8, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Sunday, April 19, 2026 after your last frost. Delaware spans zones 7a–8a, so dates shift by 1–4 weeks depending on where you live.

What is the last frost date in Delaware?

Delaware spans 3 USDA zones (7a, 7b, 8a), so last frost dates vary by region. Hockessin, Saint Georges, Yorklyn (7a) sees frost until around Friday, April 10, 2026, while Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, Ocean View (8a) is frost-free much earlier.

How long does Basil take to grow in Delaware?

Basil takes about 60 days from transplant (or direct sow) to harvest. Starting seeds indoors in Delaware gives you a head start so plants are ready to go out after the last frost.

What USDA zones does Delaware cover for Basil?

Delaware includes zones 7a, 7b, 8a. Basil grows well across all of these zones with adjusted timing — use the zone table above to find the right dates for your part of the state.

Find Precise Dates for Your City

Select a city for exact planting dates based on local frost records.

Bear 7b Bethany Beach 8a Bethel 7b Bridgeville 7b Camden Wyoming 7b Cheswold 7b Claymont 7b Clayton 7b Dagsboro 7b Delaware City 7b Delmar 7b Dover 7b Dover Afb 7b Ellendale 7b Felton 7b Fenwick Island 8a Frankford 7b Frederica 7b Georgetown 7b Greenwood 7b Harbeson 7b Harrington 7b Hartly 7b Hockessin 7a Houston 7b Kenton 7b Kirkwood 7b Laurel 7b Lewes 7b Lincoln 7b Little Creek 7b Magnolia 7b Marydel 7b Middletown 7b Milford 7b Millsboro 7b Millville 7b Milton 7b Montchanin 7b Nassau 7b New Castle 7b Newark 7b Ocean View 8a Odessa 7b Port Penn 7b Rehoboth Beach 8a Rockland 7b Saint Georges 7a Seaford 7b Selbyville 7b Smyrna 7b Townsend 7b Viola 7b Wilmington 7b Winterthur 7b Woodside 7a Yorklyn 7a

Other Plants for Delaware

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

When to Plant Basil in Other States

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