Kentucky · zones 6a–7a
When to plant basil in Kentucky.
Sow or transplant between May 8 to Jul 24 in a typical year, keyed to Kentucky's median last frost around Apr 17. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Basil dates for a typical Kentucky season.
1 · Start indoors
Mar 27 to Jun 12
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
May 8 to Jul 24
Keyed to the ~Apr 17 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 8" apart.
Harvest
~40 days later
~0.5 lb per plant over ~12 weeks.
Kentucky spans more than one climate: Zone 6 is the most common zone, but the state runs 6a to 7a. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone — mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.