What to plant this week in Pittsburgh, PA
With last frost finally averaging April 3rd, Pittsburgh gardeners are now in the prime window to move out those warm-weather giants like watermelons and okra that have been waiting since spring. While the air still holds a hint of that northern Pennsylvanian chill near the Alleghenies, your soil is ready for a serious push on heat-loving crops like squash and sweet corn.
The next 7 days
Pittsburgh, PAGrowing in Pittsburgh right now
- The thin, rocky glacial till common in neighborhoods from Squirrel Hill to Oakland drains quickly, so mulch heavily around pumpkins and cucumbers to retain moisture during our frequent dry spells. Avoid planting zucchini or marigolds directly into compacted clay pockets under older street trees; amend with compost first to prevent root rot before the July heat hits.
- Be mindful of the heavy rainfall patterns typical in late spring showers that can wash away young seedlings; use floating row covers over basil and bush beans until the soil dries out enough for staking. If you live near the river valleys, watch for wind damage on tall sunflowers and zinnias which struggle to set seed if shaken too hard.
- Don't rush garlic transplanting past mid-October given our November 6th first frost average; plant cloves immediately this week in prepared beds so they establish roots before the sub-zero nights arrive.
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 early-season aphid colonies forming on the undersides of bean and clover leaves as temperatures stabilize above 50°F.
- Monitor squash vine borers on zucchini and pumpkin vines, which often emerge when plants first begin rapid vegetative growth in late spring.
- Check for powdery mildew spots on basil and sweet potato foliage, especially if humidity remains high during our humid summer afternoons.
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.
Pittsburgh gardening questions
3When is the safest time to plant my watermelon seeds in Pittsburgh?
You should wait until all danger of frost has passed, which averages April 3rd here, though waiting until early May ensures warmer soil temperatures for germination. Plant deep enough so they don't wash away during our frequent spring rainstorms.
How do I protect my okra from the heavy rains common in western Pennsylvania?
Okra hates waterlogged roots, so plant it on raised beds or mounds of compost if your yard has poor drainage. Add a layer of straw mulch around the base to keep soil temperature stable and prevent erosion during downpours.
Can I start my fall garlic indoors now in Pittsburgh?
No, garlic is a hardy crop that goes directly into the ground; aim for late September or early October planting when nights consistently drop toward freezing. Choose a sunny spot with loose soil to prevent bulbs from becoming misshapen.
Other cities in zone 7a
12See the full zone 7a guide → · Plan your Pittsburgh garden in SproutGuide →