North Carolina · zones 7a–8b
When to plant basil in North Carolina.
Sow or transplant between Apr 24 to Jul 10 in a typical year, keyed to North Carolina's median last frost around Apr 3. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Basil dates for a typical North Carolina season.
1 · Start indoors
Mar 13 to May 29
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Apr 24 to Jul 10
Keyed to the ~Apr 3 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 8" apart.
Harvest
~40 days later
~0.5 lb per plant over ~12 weeks.
North Carolina spans more than one climate: Zone 8 is the most common zone, but the state runs 7a to 8b. 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.