What to plant this week in Boise, ID
With the last frost in Boise averaging just a few days away, you can finally push those warm-weather crops into the ground like bush beans and cucumbers. While your spring plantings are late this year, it is already time to start harvesting early potatoes and parsnips that have been growing over winter.
The next 7 days
Boise, IDGrowing in Boise right now
- Boise's dry summer heat means water deeply every 3-4 days for newly transplanted squash and melons to prevent stress before the afternoon sun sets in.
- The city's unique basalt soil drains very quickly; add a layer of compost or mulch around row crops like okra and zucchini to retain moisture and nutrients.
- Because frost dates are tight, focus your energy on 'harvest soon' items like garlic and beets now rather than waiting for spring transplants.
Sow this week
18 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- 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
49 crops- Basil
- Beefsteak Tomato
- Bell Pepper
- Borage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Habanero Pepper
- Honeydew Melon
- Leek
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Start succession planting bush beans and pole beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout summer.
- Apply a light layer of compost around heavy feeders like okra and squash to boost nutrient availability.
- Pinch back the tips of young zinnias and marigolds to encourage branching and fuller blooms.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites thrive in Boise's dry air; inspect the undersides of basil and shiso leaves regularly and spray with water if you see stippling.
- Aphids often cluster on new growth of French marigolds and nasturtiums as temperatures climb into the 80s.
- Cutworms can still attack low-growing bush beans at night, so place paper collars around seedlings until they are established.
Watering this week
Provide deep watering every 2-3 days to keep soil consistently moist but not soggy during this active growth phase.
Harvest your basil frequently by snipping off flower buds now to prevent seeding, which ensures continued leaf production and stronger flavor.
Boise gardening questions
3Can I plant my cold-sensitive tomatoes now in late winter?
No, with an average last frost date of April 3, wait until mid-to-late April to transplant tomatoes outdoors to avoid killing them with a hard freeze.
What should I harvest immediately from my garden this week?
You can pick several items right now including garlic scapes (if applicable), parsnips, potatoes, and bush beans without needing to wait for warmer weather.
How do I protect my summer squash from the dry Boise air?
Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around the base of zucchini and yellow summer squash plants to keep roots cool and reduce rapid water loss in our arid climate.
Other cities in zone 7a
12See the full zone 7a guide → · Plan your Boise garden in SproutGuide →