What to plant this week in Kelowna, BC
With the last frost officially passing on April 3rd, Kelowna gardeners are hitting a sprint to plant warm-weather crops before the heat of summer sets in. This week marks the perfect window for transplanting your final batch of tender perennials and starting those long-season melons and squash that thrive in our Okanagan valley warmth.
The next 7 days
Kelowna, BCGrowing in Kelowna right now
- Our valley floors drain quickly during spring rains, so ensure heavy clay spots around planting holes are amended with compost to retain moisture for seedlings.
- The rapid temperature swings between cool lake breezes and hot afternoon sun can stress young tomatoes; use temporary shade cloth until they establish deep roots.
- Watch for early soil frost pockets in north-facing slopes near the city limits where snow melts later, delaying transplanting by a week or two.
- Take advantage of our distinct microclimate to push planting dates for heat lovers like okra and scarlet runner beans as much as two weeks earlier than inland zone 7a areas.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
37 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
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans or carrots every two weeks to extend your summer harvest window.
- Pinch back the tips of basil and Italian herbs like summer savory to encourage bushier growth before frost.
- Start planning your fall crop rotation; avoid planting nightshades in beds that held them last year.
- Apply a light layer of compost around perennials now to strengthen roots for winter dormancy.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are starting to appear on the undersides of rosemary and thyme as humidity drops, requiring increased watering or insecticidal soap sprays.
- Aphids often explode in populations on newly transplanted sweet corn and squash; inspect daily and knock them off with a strong water spray.
- Slugs remain active after spring showers, targeting soft leaves of basil and nasturtiums before they harden off.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to keep roots hydrated during heat waves while reducing fungal risks on leafy greens.
Harvest watermelons when they make a hollow sound upon tapping, ensuring you get the sweetest fruit before the first frost hits.
Kelowna gardening questions
3Is it safe to finally put out my summer squash seedlings this week?
Yes, since the average last frost date has passed on April 3rd, you can safely transplant yellow summer squash and zucchini outdoors without significant risk of a killing freeze.
Should I start my watermelon seeds indoors or sow them directly in Kelowna?
Sow watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew melon seeds directly into the ground this week rather than starting indoors, as they hate being transplanted.
When is the best time to plant garlic for a fall harvest in our region?
This is still an ideal week to plant hardneck garlic varieties like 'Rogue' or 'Music,' as the soil is warming up but still cool enough for root establishment.
Other cities in zone 7a
12See the full zone 7a guide → · Plan your Kelowna garden in SproutGuide →