What to plant this week in Louisville, KY
Louisville gardeners, your final frost is likely behind you with an average last date of April 3, but keep a close eye on the temperature dropping toward our 0°F minimum. This week marks the prime time to harvest early summer crops like basil and bush beans while finishing hardy garlic before the heat sets in. With the city's rich, often clay-heavy soils and humid summers, focus on drainage for your newly transplanted warm-season favorites.
The next 7 days
Louisville, KYGrowing in Louisville right now
- Louisville's heavy clay soil retains moisture well but drains poorly; ensure raised beds or deep tillage are used for cucumbers and squash to prevent root rot during our frequent spring showers.
- Take advantage of the mild days by sowing heat-loving crops like okra, melons, and watermelon directly into the ground now, as our humidity accelerates their growth after early April.
- Protect your young tomato and pepper seedlings from late cold snaps that can still occur before our consistent Nov 6 frost date by using row covers during evening chills.
- Our urban heat island effect in neighborhoods like Old Louisville means you may be able to start transplanting slightly earlier than the surrounding rural county 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
- Watch for aphid colonies building up on your newly emerged bean and corn plants as temperatures stabilize above 50°F this week.
- Japanese beetles often begin scouting for leaves on blossoming flowers like cosmos and zinnia in late April, so inspect foliage daily.
- Slugs thrive in Louisville's damp springs; place copper tape or beer traps around seedlings of nasturtium and fennel to deter early feeding.
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.
Louisville gardening questions
3Can I plant tomatoes now in Louisville?
While the average last frost is April 3, wait until all danger has passed and soil temperatures reach 60°F before putting out sensitive transplants like tomatoes. If you must start earlier, use cold frames or heavy row covers to protect them from our occasional chilly nights.
When should I harvest my zucchini and summer squash?
Start picking your yellow and green zucchini now that they are in the harvest list; check daily because they grow rapidly in our warm weather. Leave at least two inches of stem attached to encourage continued fruit production for your Louisville table.
Is it safe to plant garlic this week in Zone 7a?
Yes, garlic is listed as something to sow now, and getting it in the ground before the soil warms up too much ensures a strong bulb next fall. Keep the beds moist but not waterlogged, especially given our tendency for rain after spring planting.
Other cities in zone 7a
12See the full zone 7a guide → · Plan your Louisville garden in SproutGuide →