What to plant this week in Cheyenne, WY
With the last frost in Cheyenne typically around May 1, this week marks the critical window for transplanting warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers into your protected beds. Focus on harvesting early yields of summer squash, zucchini, and basil while keeping an eye on soil moisture as the region's dry air begins to accelerate evaporation.
The next 7 days
Cheyenne, WYGrowing in Cheyenne right now
- Cheyenne's high elevation (6,000 ft) creates a fast-burning growing season; water deeply in the morning since afternoon winds can scorch tender leaves quickly.
- The local soil is often heavy with clay and low in organic matter; incorporate generous amounts of compost before planting to improve drainage for beans and melons.
- Be prepared for rapid temperature swings between day and night; cover sensitive transplants with row covers if a sudden cold front moves through after the last frost date.
- Monitor soil moisture closely as summer rain is unpredictable, relying mostly on irrigation rather than natural precipitation during peak growth.
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 are highly active in Cheyenne's dry, hot summers and can devastate basil and zinnia populations if humidity isn't managed.
- Cutworms frequently attack young bean seedlings and squash plants right after the last frost when soil is still cool.
- Powdery mildew thrives on cucurbits like pumpkin and watermelon in the windy conditions common across the Laramie Plains.
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.
Cheyenne gardening questions
3Can I start my tomato seeds now or should I wait until later this month?
Do not sow tomatoes indoors yet; with Cheyenne's short season, you must transplant them directly into warm soil after May 1 when all frost danger has passed. Starting too early risks hardening off difficulties and stunted growth in the intense local sun.
How often should I water my zucchini and beans during this dry summer?
Aim for deep watering every two to three days, checking that the top inch of soil is completely dry before each application. Shallow, frequent watering encourages weak root systems that struggle with Cheyenne's windy conditions.
What should I do if my cantaloupe or watermelon shows signs of powdery mildew?
Prune infected leaves immediately and apply a fungicidal soap spray early in the morning when it will dry quickly. Good air circulation is your best defense, so avoid overcrowding plants to let wind move through the canopy.
Other cities in zone 5b
8See the full zone 5b guide → · Plan your Cheyenne garden in SproutGuide →