What to plant this week in Bend, OR
Bend gardeners are currently in a warm, active harvest window where late frosts are statistically unlikely until mid-May, allowing for aggressive sowing of heat-lovers like Okra and Bush Beans. This week marks the peak of production for your established summer crops as temperatures climb past the 70s following our typical dry spring.
The next 7 days
Bend, ORGrowing in Bend right now
- Bend's semi-arid climate means soil dries out rapidly; prioritize deep, infrequent watering and add mulch heavily to conserve moisture in sandy loam soils.
- While frost risk is low for now, keep a thermometer watch on early-morning lows if an unseasonal cold front from the Cascades moves through this week.
- Take advantage of our current warm spell to start those heat-sensitive seedlings like Thai Basil and Vinca indoors or direct sow them outside immediately.
- Monitor your heavy clay patches near riverbeds for drainage issues, as water can pool in low spots during occasional spring rain events.
Sow this week
17 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Summer Savory
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
58 crops- Anaheim (New Mexico) Pepper
- Banana Pepper
- Basil
- Beefsteak Tomato
- Beet
- Bell Pepper
- Borage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Carrot
- Cayenne Pepper
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Eggplant
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Geranium (Zonal)
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Honeydew Melon
- Jalapeño
- Lantana
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Marconi Pepper
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- Petunia
- Poblano Pepper
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Roma Tomato
- Rutabaga
- Scallion (Bunching Onion)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Serrano Pepper
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Snapdragon
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Tomato
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout the summer.
- Mulch around young tomato and pepper plants to retain soil moisture as temperatures rise above 80°F.
- Thin carrot and beet seedlings now to prevent overcrowding and ensure sturdy root development.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for aphid swarms on the new growth of Pole Beans and Zinnia as humidity fluctuates with wind patterns.
- Slugs become active at night when temperatures drop into the 50s; check Brassicas like Brussels Sprouts before dawn.
- Spider mites may begin appearing on the undersides of Yellow Summer Squash leaves if irrigation has been inconsistent.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to encourage deep root growth and reduce evaporation losses during this hot season.
Harvest sweet corn when the kernels are milky and firm, not yet hard or fully browned, for peak sweetness.
Bend gardening questions
3Is it safe to plant heat-loving crops like Okra and Malabar Spinach now in Bend?
Yes, with our average last frost date around April 21, the soil is warm enough for these heat-lovers right now. Direct sow them immediately since they are tender plants that hate being transplanted.
What specific harvests should I expect from my garden this week?
Focus on your Bush Beans, Cucumbers, and Tomatoes which are all ready to pull today. You can also start harvesting your Sweet Corn and Pole Beans while the pods are still young and tender.
How do I manage pests in Bend's dry climate without over-watering?
Use row covers or hand-picking for aphids rather than heavy watering which can spread fungal issues in our semi-arid air. For slugs on your Brassicas, apply a copper barrier around the base of the plant at dusk.
Other cities in zone 6b
12See the full zone 6b guide → · Plan your Bend garden in SproutGuide →