Missouri · zones 5b–7a
When to plant basil in Missouri.
Sow or transplant between May 6 to Jul 22 in a typical year, keyed to Missouri's median last frost around Apr 15. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Basil dates for a typical Missouri season.
1 · Start indoors
Mar 25 to Jun 10
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
May 6 to Jul 22
Keyed to the ~Apr 15 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 8" apart.
Harvest
~40 days later
~0.5 lb per plant over ~12 weeks.
Missouri spans more than one climate: Zone 6 is the most common zone, but the state runs 5b 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.