What to plant this week in Reno, NV
In Reno, the lingering chill of March 28's average last frost date means you are officially in the final stretch before spring planting. This week marks a critical pivot point where late-spring sowing for heat-loving crops like cantaloupe and okra becomes safe, while early harvests of potatoes and zucchini demand your attention.
The next 7 days
Reno, NVGrowing in Reno right now
- Reno's hot, dry air accelerates moisture loss in containers, so increase watering frequency to every other day during this week's warming trend. The city's clay-loam soil compacts easily when wet; till beds lightly or mulch heavily to prevent crusting before sowing beans and squash.
- Take advantage of the relatively mild nights compared to deep desert lows to transplant heat-tolerant starts like French marigolds, though direct sow is still preferred for most crops listed. Avoid overwatering young seedlings as the valley's wind can dry them out rapidly within hours.
- Watch your microclimates near the Sierra foothills; areas with cooler air drainage may delay germination for watermelon and cucumber by a week compared to lower valley floors.
Sow this week
27 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
48 crops- Basil
- 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
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- 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
- Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks to extend your summer bean harvest.
- Apply a light mulch around newly transplanted squash and watermelons to retain soil moisture as temperatures rise.
- Pinch back the tops of basil plants regularly now that they are established to encourage bushier growth.
- Prepare for a second planting of fast-maturing crops like radishes or lettuce if you missed an earlier window.
Pest & disease watch
- Spotted lanternfly populations are rising in southern Nevada this season, so inspect undersides of squash leaves immediately for white eggs or nymphs.
- High winds common in the Reno valley can scorch delicate transplants like nasturtium and cosmos; provide temporary shade cloth until temperatures stabilize above 60°F at night.
- Aphids often explode on new growth of edamame and pole beans when early rains stop, requiring a blast of water or insecticidal soap intervention.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants each morning to encourage deep roots while preventing fungal diseases on foliage.
Harvest your okra early in the morning when pods are tender, as they become tough and stringy later in the day.
Reno gardening questions
3Can I finally plant my cantaloupe and watermelon seeds directly in the ground this week?
Yes, with Reno's soil warming up past the critical 60°F threshold, these heat-loving vines are now safe to sow outdoors without frost risk. Wait until after a hard rain if possible to help seed-to-soil contact before the dry winds set in.
My zucchini and summer squash are producing, but the fruits look misshapen; is this normal for our climate?
It is common in Reno's erratic spring weather when plants receive inconsistent water or suffer from temperature swings during fruit set. Ensure consistent moisture around the roots and prune off any side shoots to improve air circulation and fruit quality.
Is it too late to start garlic this week given the last frost date of March 28?
While garlic is listed for harvest soon, new plantings are technically possible if you dig in cloves immediately after a rain. However, most gardeners in Reno wait until late October or early November for optimal bulb size.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Reno garden in SproutGuide →