What to plant this week in Eugene, OR
With average lows of 15°F and the last frost date officially March 1, Eugene gardeners are deep in peak summer harvest mode as mid-July heat begins to set in. While your cool-season crops have long passed, now is the critical time to maximize yields on warm-weather giants like watermelons and okra before the first frost of December arrives.
The next 7 days
Eugene, ORGrowing in Eugene right now
- Protect early-planted garlic bulbs with mulch against Eugene's erratic late-winter chill, even though harvest should be ready soon. Focus irrigation on afternoon watering to combat the typical summer afternoon thunderstorms that wash away soil moisture quickly.
- Amend your heavy Willamette Valley clay soils with compost now to improve drainage for crops like zucchini and cucumbers which are currently producing heavily.
- Take advantage of the mild coastal influence to extend the season for Malabar spinach and shiso, which thrive in our humidity but need shade during intense heat waves.
Sow this week
13 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Summer Savory
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
36 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- 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
- Succession sow pole beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout summer.
- Mulch around newly planted squash and zucchini to retain moisture as days get warmer.
- Thin out crowded seedlings of sunflowers and sweet corn to ensure proper air circulation.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for aphid outbreaks on basil and nasturtiums as July temperatures rise, particularly in the dense canopy common in Eugene backyards.
- Monitor cucumber beetles and squash vine borers on your yellow summer squash and zucchini plants, which are currently at peak vulnerability.
- Check for powdery mildew on fennel and sunflowers given our consistent humidity levels and lack of strong drying winds.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to encourage strong root growth while keeping foliage dry to prevent disease.
Snip off spent flowers from your yellow summer squash plants every few days to keep them producing more fruit.
Eugene gardening questions
3When exactly should I start harvesting my garlic in Eugene?
Since your first frost is typically December 1, you can begin digging up your garlic bulbs as soon as the tops turn brown and fall over, which usually happens in mid-to-late July. Wait for the outer skin to dry before storing them in a cool, dark place.
My zucchini plants are producing too much; what is the best way to manage the surplus?
Harvest frequently every two days to prevent the fruit from becoming tough and bitter, cutting them when they are no larger than a tennis ball. Consider sharing excess cucumbers and summer squash with neighbors or composting stems immediately after picking.
Are there any specific plants I should sow now for a fall crop in Eugene?
You can still sow bush beans, French marigolds, and nasturtiums this week if you want a late-season harvest before December 1. These warm-weather crops will bolt quickly but can provide color and flavor for several weeks if planted promptly.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your Eugene garden in SproutGuide →