What to plant this week in Lexington, KY
With the last frost officially averaging April 3rd, Lexington gardeners are in full swing for late spring harvests while simultaneously sowing heat-loving crops like okra and bush beans. The mild transition from early spring chills to summer warmth allows for a unique window where you can pull mature garlic and potatoes while planting warm-season treasures directly into the soil.
The next 7 days
Lexington, KYGrowing in Lexington right now
- The Bluegrass clay loam tends to stay cool longer in the morning; wait until 5 AM after a sunny spell to transplant seedlings or water new plantings deeply to encourage root growth before noon heat.
- Lexington's spring rain often brings heavy downpours that compact our native clay soils; break up surface crusts gently with a fork rather than tilling, and apply a light layer of compost to improve drainage for squash and melons.
- Watch out for late snow squalls or hard freezes after the average April 3rd date if a cold front stalls over the Bluegrass region; cover tender new plantings like basil with row covers immediately at night.
Sow this week
18 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- 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
49 crops- Basil
- Beefsteak Tomato
- Bell Pepper
- Borage
- Brussels Sprouts
- 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)
- Habanero Pepper
- Honeydew Melon
- Leek
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Start succession planting bush beans and pole beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout summer.
- Apply a light layer of compost around heavy feeders like okra and squash to boost nutrient availability.
- Pinch back the tips of young zinnias and marigolds to encourage branching and fuller blooms.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are becoming active as temperatures rise on our dry south-facing slopes, targeting leafy greens and tomatoes; spray with insecticidal soap early in the morning to catch them before they spread.
- Late-season flea beetles can still damage young beans and brassicas like Brussels sprouts, so use floating row covers until plants reach 6 inches tall.
- Anthracnose fungal spots are appearing on cucumbers and squash due to our humid spring mornings; water at soil level rather than overhead to keep foliage dry.
Watering this week
Provide deep watering every 2-3 days to keep soil consistently moist but not soggy during this active growth phase.
Harvest your basil frequently by snipping off flower buds now to prevent seeding, which ensures continued leaf production and stronger flavor.
Lexington gardening questions
3Can I start sowing okra directly now in Lexington, or should I wait?
Yes, you can sow okra seeds right now because the soil is warm enough for this heat-loving crop which thrives in our Kentucky summers. If your soil feels cool to the touch, cover it with black plastic for a few days to boost warmth before planting.
My garlic and potatoes are ready to harvest soon; how do I tell when they are done?
Look for about half of the lower leaves turning brown and dry while the top foliage remains green; this indicates the bulbs have stopped growing and are ready to dig. Be careful not to wait too long, as the stems will rot in our clay-heavy soil if left underground.
Why are my zucchini plants showing yellowing leaves with dark spots?
This is likely a sign of anthracnose or another fungal issue common in Lexington's humid spring weather. Prune off affected leaves immediately and stop watering the foliage until the dry spell arrives to help the disease run its course.
Other cities in zone 7a
12See the full zone 7a guide → · Plan your Lexington garden in SproutGuide →