What to plant this week in Portland, OR
With average last frosts in Portland already behind us on March 1, gardeners can aggressively move warm-season crops like zucchini and bush beans into the ground this week. The lingering dampness typical of our Pacific Northwest spring means you must prioritize drainage to prevent root rot in those newly planted seeds.
The next 7 days
Portland, ORGrowing in Portland right now
- Our heavy clay-loam soils hold moisture well but demand raised beds or excellent tilling for warm-season beans and squash to ensure good aeration before the heat arrives.
- Be cautious with transplanting; while our zone 8b climate allows early starts, avoid introducing any transplants until soil temperatures consistently hit 60°F to prevent shock in our cool coastal springs.
- Take advantage of this week's sowable window for French marigolds and nasturtiums now, as they will act as living mulches against the relentless spring rains common here.
Sow this week
13 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Summer Savory
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
36 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
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow pole beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout summer.
- Mulch around newly planted squash and zucchini to retain moisture as days get warmer.
- Thin out crowded seedlings of sunflowers and sweet corn to ensure proper air circulation.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch closely for cutworms on your basil and bean seedlings; our wet spring soils encourage them to hide in debris before striking young stems at night.
- Monitor squash plants for early powdery mildew, a fungal issue that thrives in Portland's humid air and can quickly cover zucchini and summer squash leaves if airflow is poor.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to encourage strong root growth while keeping foliage dry to prevent disease.
Snip off spent flowers from your yellow summer squash plants every few days to keep them producing more fruit.
Portland gardening questions
3Is it safe to pull up my garlic crop now since the frost date has passed?
Yes, your garlic should be ready for harvest soon as we are well past March 1. Since our first hard frost doesn't arrive until December, you have plenty of time to wait a few more weeks if the bulbs feel firm and papery.
Can I plant my okra seeds directly in the garden this week?
Absolutely; okra loves the warmth that Portland's zone 8b climate provides right now. Sow your okra seeds deep (about one inch) where they can get a running start before the summer heat fully kicks in.
What should I do if my watermelon seedlings are getting leggy from our cloudy weather?
Leggy growth is common here when we have weeks of overcast skies, so move them to the sunniest spot available immediately. Gently pinch off the top set of leaves once they establish a few new ones to encourage thicker stems and stronger roots.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your Portland garden in SproutGuide →