What to plant this week in Columbus, OH
With average last frost still hovering around April 21, Columbus gardeners are in that transitional window where early harvests like carrots and beets are ready to pull while the soil remains too cool for most outdoor transplants. This week marks a shift from hardening off summer crops indoors to sowing warm-season seeds like basil and cucumbers directly into our rich but sometimes clay-heavy Ohio loam.
The next 7 days
Columbus, OHGrowing in Columbus right now
- Our Central Ohio clay soils retain moisture well right now, so water deeply but infrequently rather than frequent shallow watering to prevent root rot in squash and beans.
- Since we are past the peak danger of late April frost, you can safely sow direct seeds for Malabar Spinach and Thai Basil that require consistent warmth to germinate.
- Take advantage of our typical May rainfall pattern by avoiding overhead irrigation on leafy greens like lettuce or parsley if storms are forecasted this week.
- If planting in low-lying areas common in the Columbus suburbs, consider adding compost now to improve drainage as soil temperatures rise above 50°F.
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 early aphid colonies forming on new growth of pole beans and zinnias as temperatures climb into the 70s.
- Slugs will be active on young transplants if any were brought in earlier; check seedlings under string lights or cardboard shelters before morning dew dries.
- Spider mites can start appearing on indoor-started peppers like Jalapeño and Poblano once they move outside for air circulation.
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.
Columbus gardening questions
3Can I plant my summer squash seeds now if the weather feels warm?
Yes, Yellow Summer Squash and Zucchini thrive when sown directly into the ground this week since our soil temperatures are finally cooperating. Just ensure you water deeply after planting to settle the seed around the root zone.
My early carrots and beets are ready; what's the best way to harvest them in Columbus clay?
Loosen the soil gently with a small hand fork before pulling to prevent breaking roots, as our dense Ohio loam can make extraction difficult. Wash them immediately after digging to remove excess dirt that tends to stick to the skin.
Is it safe to move my indoor basil and peppers outside yet?
Not quite; while frost is no longer an imminent threat until mid-April on average, nights are still cool enough to shock tender plants like Thai Basil or Jalapeño. Wait another week or two after this one until daytime highs consistently stay above 60°F before moving them outdoors.
Other cities in zone 6b
12See the full zone 6b guide → · Plan your Columbus garden in SproutGuide →