What to plant this week in Bemidji, MN
With temperatures still hovering near the record low of -35°F, Bemidji gardeners are in a critical window where frost dates dictate every move. This week marks the final push for overwintering garlic while your late-season harvests like pumpkins and sunflowers begin filling the patch before that September 20th first frost hits.
The next 7 days
Bemidji, MNGrowing in Bemidji right now
- Bemidji's deep, cold clay soils hold moisture well but freeze solid; avoid digging now to prevent root damage from heaving as temperatures fluctuate near zero.
- Late-summer thunderstorms are common here; ensure your winter squash and pumpkin vines have trellis support or staking ready before the next heavy rain.
- With frost expected by mid-to-late September, prioritize bringing in or covering sensitive crops like Cosmos and Lisianthus immediately after this week's harvest window opens.
- The short growing season means fall-planted garlic must be mulched heavily with straw now to survive the harsh Minnesota winter burial.
Sow this week
1 crops- Garlic
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
15 crops- Beefsteak Tomato
- Brussels Sprouts
- Bush Bean
- Cosmos
- Dahlia
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Leek
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Sunflower
- Winter Squash
Seasonal tips
- Finish succession sowings of Bush Beans now that the soil has warmed up significantly.
- Apply a thick layer of straw or leaves around Winter Squash and Pumpkin to protect them from early frosts.
- Prune dead foliage off Cosmos and Dahlia plants immediately after harvesting to keep the garden tidy.
Pest & disease watch
- Late-season cabbage loopers may still target your Brussels sprouts and parsnip before temperatures drop low enough to stop their feeding.
- Spider mites can spike on stressed sunflowers and dahlias during dry, hot spells in late August and early September.
- Aphid colonies often form on the undersides of pumpkin leaves right before the first frost, potentially leading to sooty mold if not managed.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to help summer crops finish strong, but reduce frequency as autumn air cools down.
Since Garlic is listed for sowing now, ensure your cloves are firm and free of rot before pushing them into cool soil.
Bemidji gardening questions
3When exactly should I harvest my pumpkins and winter squash in Bemidji?
Pick these up as soon as they show a darkening skin color and begin to rattle, typically by early September. Do not leave them on the vines after the first frost on September 20th, as this will ruin their storage potential.
Is it safe to plant garlic now in Zone 3b?
Yes, planting time has officially arrived for Bemidji gardeners this week. Select a site with full sun and well-drained soil, then dig cloves immediately before the ground freezes solid.
Can I transplant any of my fall vegetables this weekend?
No new transplants should be moved into the ground now; the risk of hard frost by mid-September is too high for seedlings to establish. Instead, focus on harvesting your established crops like beefsteak tomatoes and bush beans.
Other cities in zone 3b
4See the full zone 3b guide → · Plan your Bemidji garden in SproutGuide →