What to plant this week in Bemidji, MN
With average last frost dates around May 15 in Bemidji, gardeners are just entering the window to harden off cool-season crops like lettuce and kale while finalizing transplants for your tomato patch. This week marks a critical transition as soil temperatures finally rise enough to support rapid growth for root vegetables like carrots and beets before our typical September 20th frost.
The next 7 days
Bemidji, MNGrowing in Bemidji right now
- Bemidji's heavy clay soils retain moisture well but require deep tilling now to prevent compaction issues during the upcoming wet spring showers.
- Avoid planting warm-season items like zucchini or squash until late May, as early cold snaps in Zone 3b can easily damage tender seedlings before they are established.
- Leverage the extended daylight hours of northern Minnesota this week by planting succession crops like bush beans and snapdragons to maximize your harvest window.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
38 crops- Bachelor's Button (Cornflower)
- Beet
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cabbage
- Calendula
- Carrot
- Cauliflower
- Cherry Tomato
- Chervil
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Collard Greens
- Cosmos
- Dill
- Fava (Broad) Bean
- French Marigold
- Garlic
- German Chamomile
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Napa Cabbage
- Onion
- Pansy
- Parsley
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Scallion (Bunching Onion)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shallot
- Snapdragon
- Sweet Alyssum
- Swiss Chard
- Tomato
- Turnip
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Continue succession sowing bush beans and pole beans every two weeks to extend your harvest through summer.
- Mulch around young tomatoes and peppers to retain moisture as soil temperatures stabilize after the frost-free date.
- Pinch back the tops of Swiss chard and kale to encourage bushier growth before autumn frosts arrive.
Pest & disease watch
- Monitor brassicas like cabbage and collard greens for early spring flea beetle damage as these insects become active with rising soil temps.
- Watch for slugs on low-lying lettuce and swiss chard, especially after any of the frequent local afternoon thunderstorms.
- Check newly transplanted tomatoes and peppers for aphid colonies that often hitch rides on late-spring wind currents.
Watering this week
Provide deep watering two to three times per week, ensuring consistent moisture for seedlings like dill and chervil.
Harvest zucchini and yellow summer squash when they are small to prevent the plant from going into a dormant phase.
Bemidji gardening questions
3When is the safest time to plant my tomato seedlings in Bemidji?
Wait until after May 15 when the risk of frost passes, as planting too early into cold soil can stunt your cherry and yellow summer squash varieties before they recover.
Can I sow carrot seeds directly now in the Bemidji garden?
Yes, carrots thrive when sown now in our local conditions, provided you prepare loose soil to prevent misshapen roots from developing.
What specific pests should I watch for on my kale plants this week?
Be alert for cabbage loopers and aphids, which are becoming active as temperatures rise above freezing.
Other cities in zone 3b
4See the full zone 3b guide → · Plan your Bemidji garden in SproutGuide →