Growing in Georgetown

Best time to plant basil in Georgetown

Ocimum basilicum

Also called sweet basil, Genovese basil, Thai basil

Sow basil in Georgetown in Aug to May.

A tender member of the mint family, basil is grown for its fragrant leaves, which flavour dishes around the world. Sweet or Genovese basil is the type most Western cooks mean, while Thai and lemon basil bring other aromas. It usually lasts one season, though warm gardens can keep it longer.

When to sow in Georgetown

Georgetown, QLD is in the tropical zone. The zone also plants in Jun to Jul, but Georgetown's frost dates make those months risky for a frost-tender crop.

Not yet checked against a local guide.

Your local conditions can shift any months shown here, so treat them as a guide.

Frost in Georgetown

Frost usually arrives in Georgetown around mid June and finishes by mid July. In about 1 year in 10 it comes as early as early June or as late as mid August, so frost-tender crops are planned around those dates.

From its Bureau of Meteorology station, 1991 to 2020, counting a night at 2°C or lower as a frost. Frost hollows and hillsides can shift these dates by weeks, so ask the growers at your garden too.

On a shared plot: suits a plot

Finishes in a season and stays within its space, so it suits most plots.

Growing details

How to start
Sow directly or raise seedlings
Sowing depth
2mm
Plant spacing
45cm
Row spacing
45cm
Height
60cm
Germination
5-10 days at 18-35°C
Frost
Frost tender
Sun
Full sun
Life cycle
annual

These are typical figures, and varieties differ. Your seed packet takes priority.

Basil elsewhere

Basil across Australia