When to plant basil in Melbourne
Melbourne sits in Australia's cool temperate zone. Computed from Melbourne's Bureau of Meteorology climate averages, here is the basil window:
Sow
December – March
Transplant
—
Harvest
April
Cool temperate zone tip
Wait until after Melbourne Cup weekend to plant basil in Melbourne. Cool soil rots seedlings.
Frost matters here: the last frost around Melbourne typically falls in September, with the first returning around May. Basil is frost-sensitive, so keep it inside that frost-free run.
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Open your calendar →Frequently asked questions
When can I plant basil in Melbourne?
In Melbourne (cool temperate zone), sow seed December – March. Harvest typically runs April.
Can you grow basil in Melbourne?
Yes — basil grows well around Melbourne when planted in its window. Wait until after Melbourne Cup weekend to plant basil in Melbourne. Cool soil rots seedlings.