When to Plant Basil in New Jersey

🌱

Start Seeds Indoors

Sunday, February 8, 2026

Transplant outdoors: Sunday, April 19, 2026

Based on Avenel · Zone 7b

Last frost: Sunday, April 5, 2026

State

New Jersey

USDA Zones

6b, 7a, 7b, 8a

Avg Last Frost

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Cities Covered

579

New Jersey Planting Schedule by Zone

New Jersey spans 4 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.

Zone	Last Frost	Start Indoors	Transplant	Example Cities
6b	Wednesday, April 15, 2026	Wednesday, February 18, 2026	Wednesday, April 29, 2026	Boonton, Mountain Lakes, Butler
7a	Friday, April 10, 2026	Friday, February 13, 2026	Friday, April 24, 2026	Bloomfield, Fairfield, Caldwell
7b	Sunday, April 5, 2026	Sunday, February 8, 2026	Sunday, April 19, 2026	Avenel, Bayonne, Carteret
8a	Friday, March 20, 2026	Friday, January 23, 2026	Friday, April 3, 2026	Bridgeport, Brigantine, Cape May

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 New Jersey: Complete Guide

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a warm-season crop that needs a head start indoors before New Jersey's last frost. Most New Jersey 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 New Jersey stretches across 4 USDA hardiness zones (6b, 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 New Jersey'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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey.

Growing Basil in New Jersey: Local Tips

Climate-specific advice for New Jersey gardeners.

Cold kills basil instantly

One dip below 50°F causes black, wilted leaves; don't transplant outdoors until nighttime temps are reliably above 55°F — typically late May to early June in most of the Northeast.

Downy mildew is endemic

Basil downy mildew spreads rapidly in humid northeastern summers; choose resistant varieties like Amazel or Rutgers Devotion, or plan to make pesto before the mildew arrives in August.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Basil in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, start Basil seeds indoors around Sunday, February 8, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Sunday, April 19, 2026 after your last frost. New Jersey spans zones 6b–8a, so dates shift by 1–4 weeks depending on where you live.

What is the last frost date in New Jersey?

New Jersey spans 4 USDA zones (6b, 7a, 7b, 8a), so last frost dates vary by region. Boonton, Mountain Lakes, Butler (6b) sees frost until around Wednesday, April 15, 2026, while Bridgeport, Brigantine, Cape May (8a) is frost-free much earlier.

How long does Basil take to grow in New Jersey?

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

What USDA zones does New Jersey cover for Basil?

New Jersey includes zones 6b, 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.

Absecon 7b Adelphia 7a Allamuchy 6b Allendale 7a Allenhurst 7b Allentown 7a Allenwood 7b Alloway 7b Alpine 7a Andover 6b Annandale 7a Asbury 7a Asbury Park 7b Atco 7a Atlantic City 8a Atlantic Highlands 7b Audubon 7b Augusta 6b Avalon 7b Avenel 7b Avon By The Sea 7b Baptistown 7a Barnegat 7a Barnegat Light 7b Barrington 7b Basking Ridge 7a Bayonne 7b Bayville 7a Beach Haven 7b Beachwood 7a Bedminster 7a Belford 7b Belle Mead 7a Belleville 7b Bellmawr 7b Belmar 7b Belvidere 7a Bergenfield 7b Berkeley Heights 7a Berlin 7a Bernardsville 6b Beverly 7b Birmingham 7b Blackwood 7b Blairstown 6b Blawenburg 7a Bloomfield 7a Bloomingdale 7a Bloomsbury 7a Bogota 7b Boonton 6b Bordentown 7a Bound Brook 7a Bradley Beach 7b Branchville 6b Brick 7b Bridgeport 8a Bridgeton 7b Bridgewater 7a Brielle 7b +519 more cities

Other Plants for New Jersey

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