What to plant this week in Reno, NV
Reno gardeners in Zone 7b are hitting the season's peak as average last frost has passed, allowing immediate sowing of warm-weather crops like Yellow Summer Squash and Zucchini directly into the soil. With temperatures hovering near 5°F only in rare winter dips, your focus now shifts to managing rapid summer growth before the November 15 first frost cuts the season short.
The next 7 days
Reno, NVGrowing in Reno right now
- Reno's alkaline clay-loam soils often require added organic matter to improve drainage for these moisture-loving squashes and melons.
- Take advantage of the intense afternoon sun by using shade cloth on young Sweet Corn and Sunflowers to prevent leaf scorch during heat waves.
- Since transplanting is not an option this week, sow all listed annuals like Cosmos and Zinnia directly after the soil warms above 60°F.
- Monitor soil moisture closely; while Reno has dry summers, recent rains can cause root rot in heavy spots if drainage isn't addressed.
Sow this week
2 crops- 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 bush beans every two weeks to ensure a continuous harvest through late August.
- Thin seedlings early on okra and watermelon plants to allow remaining specimens room to spread their vines.
- Apply a light layer of compost around established summer squash and zucchini to feed heavy fruiting plants.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider Mites are becoming active on the undersides of Fennel and Zucchini leaves as humidity drops in May.
- Watch for Cucumber Beetles attacking your newly sown Cucumbers and Summer Squash before they establish strong defenses.
- Aphids may cluster on the tender stems of Okra and Malabar Spinach, requiring early intervention with insecticidal soap.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to keep soil moist without wetting foliage, especially when fruit sets in.
Harvest zucchini and summer squash every two days to prevent them from becoming tough and bitter.
Reno gardening questions
3Can I start my Basil indoors now or should I sow it outside?
Skip indoor starts this week; simply scatter your Basil seeds directly into prepared beds since the frost risk has passed. This saves you from the leggy, weak seedlings that often result from starting too early in Reno's dry air.
How do I prevent my Watermelon and Cantaloupe from cracking or rotting?
Ensure your planting spots have excellent drainage to avoid wet feet, which is critical for these heavy fruits on our local soil. Gently mound the fruit with mulch as they grow to keep them off damp earth and reduce splitting risks.
Is there any time left in the season to get a fall harvest?
Your final window for planting cool-weather crops like Garlic has just opened, but it must be done now before summer heat sets in. If you missed that deadline, focus on harvesting your Bush Beans and Edamame this week before the first hot snap of weather.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Reno garden in SproutGuide →