What to plant this week in Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh gardeners in Zone 7a are entering a critical transition week where the threat of late April frosts is still real, despite average dates suggesting safety by now. While your warm-season crops like Yellow Summer Squash and Zinnia can be sown directly into the soil, you must protect any transplants from unexpected freezes until mid-May. Harvest fever sets in early as Beefsteak Tomatoes and Bush Beans begin to ripen across our valley farms.
The next 7 days
Pittsburgh, PAGrowing in Pittsburgh right now
- Our western slopes near the Allegheny River often get sun exposure an hour earlier than neighborhoods stuck in the city's urban heat island, making them ideal for sowing Basil today.
- Pittsburgh's heavy clay soil holds water too well during our spring thaws; amend planting beds with compost or plant on raised mounds to prevent root rot in your Okra and Malabar Spinach.
- With rain likely this week due to the humid air flowing off Lake Erie, delay sowing Cucumber seeds until Thursday morning to avoid washing them away from hillsides.
- Do not transplant any cold-sensitive plants yet; our local microclimates vary wildly between the Strip District and Oakland, and early spring winds can damage delicate stems.
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
- Watch for aphid colonies forming on new growth of your Pole Beans as temperatures rise above 50°F in our sheltered pockets.
- Early blight may appear on older Beefsteak Tomato leaves if wet weather persists over the next two weeks, especially in low-lying areas near the Monongahela.
- Spider mites are beginning to wake up in dry microclimates within the city limits, so check under the leaves of your Zucchini plants weekly.
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.
Pittsburgh gardening questions
3Can I plant my Tomato seedlings now even though the average last frost is April 3?
It is too risky for Pittsburgh this week; a sudden freeze could kill young Tomato roots before they establish. Wait until the soil temperature consistently reaches 60°F and the forecast shows no chance of sub-freezing temperatures for a full week.
Which of my current harvests are ready to pick today in this weather?
Your Bush Beans, Basil, and Yellow Summer Squash are all viable for immediate harvesting despite the cool air. Pick them early in the morning when the plants are firmest to maximize flavor before any afternoon chill sets in.
How should I handle my Malabar Spinach given our clay-heavy soil here?
Ensure your planting spots have excellent drainage by mixing in generous amounts of compost or peat moss. If the ground stays soggy, these heat-loving greens will rot from below before they can bolt and produce leaves.
Other cities in zone 7a
12See the full zone 7a guide → · Plan your Pittsburgh garden in SproutGuide →