What to plant this week in Burlington, VT
Burlington gardeners in Zone 5b are now racing against time to secure a fall harvest before the October 15 first frost locks your crops down. This week marks the critical window for moving out heat-loving transplants like basil, tomatoes, and peppers, as the average last frost date of May 1 has long passed but soil warmth remains essential.
The next 7 days
Burlington, VTGrowing in Burlington right now
- Take advantage of Burlington's unique lake-effect microclimate by placing heavy crops like pumpkins and winter squash near the water to extend your growing season slightly compared to inland areas.
- The city's often clay-heavy soils hold moisture well in summer but can become compacted; add generous amounts of compost or aged manure before planting root vegetables like parsnips and leeks to ensure proper drainage.
- With an average last frost around May 1, your spring crops are established, so focus this week on hardening off any remaining cold-sensitive starts before the soil cools down too fast for late sowings.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
42 crops- Basil
- Borage
- 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)
- Honeydew Melon
- Leek
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Nasturtium
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Mulch around transplanted squash and melons to retain moisture as summer heat builds up.
- Succession sow pole beans or sweet corn every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout July.
- Pinch back tips on basil, celery, and marigolds to encourage bushier growth before the end of the season.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites may begin appearing on Zinnias and Cosmos as temperatures climb above 80°F during dry spells.
- Watch closely for aphid colonies forming on the undersides of new Basil, Shiso, and French Marigold leaves.
- Slugs are actively hunting down late-planted Lettuce (if sown earlier) and young Zucchini seedlings in the damp summer evenings.
Watering this week
Water deeply at soil level in the morning to keep roots cool and reduce evaporation during hot days.
Harvest zucchini and yellow summer squash early in the day when they are most tender and flavorful.
Burlington gardening questions
3When should I stop watering my Watermelon and Cantaloupe vines as they approach maturity?
Stop all irrigation about two weeks before your first expected frost, usually mid-October in Burlington, to prevent the fruit from cracking or developing rot.
Is it safe to plant Garlic now for a summer harvest, or do I wait?
You can still plant hardneck garlic varieties right now if you want an early crop; however, standard fall-planted garlic usually goes in mid-August and isn't ready until the following late spring/early summer.
How do I protect my Dahlia tubers before the October 15 frost hits?
Dig up all Dahlia tubers immediately after the first killing frost, brush off excess dirt, cure them in a shaded spot for a week, and store them dry at 40-50°F over winter.
Other cities in zone 5b
8See the full zone 5b guide → · Plan your Burlington garden in SproutGuide →