Most gardeners start their basil seeds indoors to get a jump on the growing season. Success begins with sowing the seeds at the right time, 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. In my zone 5 garden that’s late May so I start my basil seeds indoors in late March.

Starting in March, you can start basil indoors if you grow in zones 7a – 9b. Seeds will germinate best at warmer temperatures, so although you can directly sow them in the ground, you risk spotty germination or failure to thrive if you get a sudden burst of cold weather.

You can start basil seed indoors and transplant the grown plant outside in rich, well-drained soil once all danger of frost has passed. If you live in a cold or very hot climate, start your herb seeds in early spring so the young plant gets well established before the summer heat and winter cold.