When should I plant basil in ZIP 90802?

In ZIP 90802, the main basil target is around Jan 30, based on the representative Long Beach frost station and USDA zone 10b.

When should I start basil seeds indoors in 90802?

Start basil seeds indoors in ZIP 90802 around Dec 16, about 35 days before the Jan 20 last-frost estimate.

Is this a guaranteed planting date?

No. GrowZone uses frost-date estimates, hardiness zones, and crop timing rules for planning. Local microclimates and current weather can shift the right date.

ZIP 90802 planting calendar

When to plant basil in Long Beach, CA - Zone 10b

Q: When is the first frost in Long Beach?

Long Beach (ZIP 90802) has an average first fall frost around Dec 15, leaving about 329 frost-free days.

In ZIP 90802, plant basil around Jan 30; this uses the Long Beach frost station, USDA zone 10b, and basil timing rules.

Your Long Beach calendar has a 329-day estimated frost-free season. This estimate uses the representative Long Beach frost station, USDA zone 10b, and basil timing rules.

Source: long-beach-airport frost station, USDA zone 10b, last updated 2026-06-28. Verify locally before planting high-value crops because microclimates, current weather, and yard exposure can move the safe date.

USDA zone 10b Long Beach frost station University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Updated 2026-06-28

Read the method

Answer first

When to start basil seeds indoors in Long Beach

In ZIP 90802, start basil seeds indoors around Dec 16, about 35 days before the Jan 20 last-frost estimate.

Start basil seeds indoors in Long Beach around Dec 16, about 35 days before the Jan 20 last-frost estimate.

Seed starting schedule

Basil dates for Long Beach, CA

Step	Date	How to use it
Start Indoors	December 16, 2025	Start seeds under lights or in a bright indoor seed-starting space.
Transplant Outdoors	January 30, 2026	Move hardened-off seedlings outside after the frost-risk window.
Direct Sow	January 30, 2026	Sow seed outside when the crop and soil can handle the window.

Last frost

When is the last frost in Long Beach?

Long Beach (ZIP 90802) has an average last spring frost around Jan 20.

First frost

When is the first frost in Long Beach?

The average first fall frost is around Dec 15, giving about 329 frost-free days.

Season map

Basil windows by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Start indoors

Dec 16

Direct sow

Jan 30

Transplant

Jan 30

Harvest

Apr 5

Frost watch

Oct 11

Reminder workflow

Every date has a next action

Start basil indoorsDec 16

Last frost windowJan 20

Direct sow basilJan 30

Transplant basilJan 30

First basil harvest windowApr 5

Last basil sowing targetOct 11

Signal	Value	Why it matters
Last frost estimate	January 20, 2026	Warm-season transplant risk starts falling after this window.
First frost estimate	December 15, 2026	Fall planting counts backward from this date.
Season length	329 days	Longer seasons can support succession crops.
Spacing	10-12 in	Airflow and root space affect yield.
Soil temperature	65 F+	Seeds and transplants stall in cold soil.

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Local data

Why this date changes by ZIP

Long Beach frost history and USDA zone 10b shift the safe planting window. GrowZone uses a local representative station instead of one national rule.

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources is the kind of local source to verify against when a crop is expensive, weather is unusual, or your yard has a cold pocket.

Crop note

Basil timing notes

Pinch the growing tips early for fuller plants. Basil prefers full sun, 10-12 in spacing, and soil near 65 F+.

For fall, count backward from Dec 15. A conservative last sowing target is around Oct 11.