Newton

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Newton to a garden.

Fragrant as a warm summer breeze, Newton Italian Basil fills the garden with a vivid, sweet-anise lift and a clean, green snap.

Leaves are tender and richly textured, forming an upright, lush mound that’s ideal for fresh use—its aromatic character shines in pesto-style sauces and bright finishing blends. Grow Newton for a steady harvest of fragrant foliage from early summer through the season’s peak.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

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Newton Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Apr 20th	Jul 27th	Sep 25th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 13th	Jul 20th	Sep 18th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	Jul 14th	Sep 12th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	Jul 8th	Sep 6th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	Jul 3rd	Sep 1st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	Jun 29th	Aug 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	Jun 26th	Aug 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Jun 20th	Aug 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Jun 15th	Aug 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	Jun 5th	Aug 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	May 27th	Jul 26th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	May 18th	Jul 17th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	May 1st	Jun 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Apr 6th	Jun 5th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Newton Italian Basil leans into a sweet-anise perfume with a crisp green bite, so it really earns its keep when added fresh or blended briefly. Use it as a finisher—overcooking turns that aromatics-forward snap into something flat and hollow.

Best Uses

pesto-style blitzes where the flavor stays fragrant (blend quickly, don’t overheat)
tear-and-toss salads or warm greens as a last-minute shower
compound butter stirred for grilling and quick pan-sears
chopped finishing herb for pasta, rice, or bean dishes at the end

Flavor Profile

sweet-anise basil aroma clean green snap tender, lightly chewy leaves bright, fragrant finish

Kitchen Pairings

parmesan garlic olive oil lemon juice fresh mozzarella pine nuts

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Ocimum basilicum (basil) and how can I control it?

Watch for downy mildew and Fusarium wilt in basil, especially in humid weather or when leaves stay wet. Improve airflow by spacing plants, water the soil (not the foliage), and remove any yellowing or spotted leaves early. If problems spread, start over with fresh seed in clean soil and avoid replanting basil in the same spot for at least a season.

How often should I water sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) during peak growth?

During the main growing phase, water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, aiming for evenly moist—not soggy—soil. In hot weather this may be about 1–2 times per week, but adjust based on container size and rainfall. Consistently wet soil promotes stem/root issues, while letting it dry out too long can stunt growth and reduce leaf quality.

How do I know when Ocimum basilicum is ready to harvest (around 60 days)?

Harvest when plants are about 6–8 inches tall and have multiple sets of mature leaves, typically around 60 days from germination. Pick by snipping just above a pair of leaves to encourage branching, rather than cutting single stems down to the base. If you see flower buds forming, harvest frequently because leaf flavor declines as basil switches to flowering.