Basil in Zone 5a
Ocimum basilicum
Method: Start indoors — Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside — Basil needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Mar 29–Apr 5 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 24–May 31 |
| Estimated harvest | ~60 days after transplanting |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing).
Good companions
- Tomato — Reputed to improve tomato flavor and repel pests.
- Pepper — May repel aphids and improve growth nearby.
Where to buy basil seeds
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing basil" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video — results vary and aren't vetted by us)
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