What to plant this week in Eugene, OR
With the last frost date safely behind us on March 1st, Eugene is officially in full swing for outdoor planting this week. Gardeners can immediately sow heat-lovers like okra and bush beans directly into the soil while harvesting early crops such as basil and cucumbers.
The next 7 days
Eugene, ORGrowing in Eugene right now
- Eugene's frequent spring rains mean you must check seedlings daily for slugs; consider placing copper tape or beer traps if you see them nibbling new growth.
- The city's heavy clay soils retain water well but drain slowly, so ensure your raised beds have excellent drainage to prevent root rot in plants like sunflowers and zinnias.
- Take advantage of the mild 8b climate by starting your winter squash and pumpkins indoors now; they need weeks of warmth before being hardened off for our late spring soil.
- Be mindful that Oregon summers are short, so prioritize quick-maturing varieties of sweet corn and bush beans to ensure a harvest before the first frost in December.
Sow this week
30 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
39 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks for continuous harvests.
- Mulch around young summer squash and watermelons to retain soil moisture as temperatures rise.
- Pinch back the tips of zinnias and cosmos to encourage bushier growth and more blooms.
Pest & disease watch
- Aphids often explode on new growth during Eugene's cool, damp springs; spray with strong water or insecticidal soap if clusters form on beans and corn.
- Fungal issues like powdery mildew are common on cucurbits (cucumbers, squash) in our humid microclimates; space plants widely to improve air circulation.
- Cutworms frequently attack the stems of transplanted seedlings at night; inspect base of young plants and use collars made from cut plastic bottles.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to keep roots hydrated and reduce evaporation during hot afternoons.
Harvest bush beans when pods are tender but before they begin to flower or turn woody.
Eugene gardening questions
3Can I plant my okra and scarlet runner beans right now in Eugene?
Yes, because our last frost date is March 1st and current temperatures have stabilized above the minimum threshold for these heat-loving legumes.
My basil and cucumber plants are already blooming; should I pick more?
Harvest generously now to encourage bushier growth and prevent the plant from going to seed too quickly in Eugene's variable weather.
How do I handle the heavy clay soil typical of the Willamette Valley for my sunflowers?
Amend your planting holes with plenty of compost to improve drainage, as waterlogged clay can rot sunflower roots quickly.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your Eugene garden in SproutGuide →