What to plant this week in Bend, OR
Bend gardeners are in the final countdown to garlic harvest as winter approaches, with Daikon radishes ripening alongside them this week. With a hard freeze looming by April 21st for the last frost and another waiting until late October, focus on pulling those root crops before the ground locks up.
The next 7 days
Bend, ORGrowing in Bend right now
- Bend's high-altitude terrain creates rapid temperature swings; protect garlic bulbs from heaving caused by deep freezes right now.
- The city's heavy winter snowpack can suffocate roots if soil is saturated, so ensure good drainage around harvest sites to prevent rotting Daikon radishes.
- Soil in the High Desert tends to be rocky and well-draining, making it easy to lift bulbs but requiring careful handling of fragile necks.
- With minimal transplanting needed this week, use your extra energy to mulch heavily after harvesting to insulate the soil for next year's spring sowings.
Sow this week
1 crops- Garlic
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
2 crops- Daikon Radish
- Garlic
Seasonal tips
- Plant hardy garlic cloves immediately in well-drained soil with tips pointing upward.
- Prepare garden beds by loosening compacted soil to encourage healthy root development for next year's crops.
- Apply a layer of compost around existing perennials to protect emerging plants from late frosts.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for aphids clustering on garlic leaves as temperatures drop, which can stunt bulb size before harvest.
- Late-season carrot root fly may still target Daikon radishes if plants were overwintered; check foliage for wilting.
- Fungal rots like white rot are a risk in Bend's damp valley floors during the cold snap, so inspect bulbs thoroughly before storage.
Watering this week
Water garlic cloves lightly after planting, then wait until the soil is moist but not soggy before watering again.
Since Daikon radish will be ready soon, mark those spots now so you can plant a quick succession crop like lettuce once they are harvested.
Bend gardening questions
3When exactly should I pull my garlic and Daikon radishes in Bend?
Start harvesting both crops immediately this week if you see yellowing leaves on the garlic or swollen tops on the radishes, as a freeze could damage them underground.
How can I protect my soil from heaving during Bend's deep freezes?
Apply a thick layer of straw mulch over harvested beds to insulate roots and prevent the ground from shifting violently when temperatures drop below zero.
What should I do with leftover garlic bulbs after harvest this week?
Cure any remaining healthy bulbs in a warm, dry spot out of direct sun for two weeks before storing them in mesh bags in a cool basement to keep them fresh over winter.
Other cities in zone 6b
12See the full zone 6b guide → · Plan your Bend garden in SproutGuide →