Ohio · zones 5b–6b
When to plant basil in Ohio.
Sow or transplant between May 16 to Aug 1 in a typical year, keyed to Ohio's median last frost around Apr 25. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Basil dates for a typical Ohio season.
1 · Start indoors
Apr 4 to Jun 20
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
May 16 to Aug 1
Keyed to the ~Apr 25 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 8" apart.
Harvest
~40 days later
~0.5 lb per plant over ~12 weeks.
Ohio spans more than one climate: Zone 6 is the most common zone, but the state runs 5b to 6b. 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.