What to plant this week in Spokane, WA
Spokane gardeners are now in the thick of late spring and early summer, with the last frost officially behind us for good until April 3rd. This week marks a critical shift as you move from hardening off seedlings to aggressively harvesting your mid-season crops like beefsteak tomatoes, cucumbers, and beans that have been ripening since March.
The next 7 days
Spokane, WAGrowing in Spokane right now
- The valley floor's distinct summer drought means you must increase irrigation for squash and melons now that the soil has dried out after spring rains; mulch heavily to retain moisture.
- Spokane's heavy clay-loam soils in the south end can become hard-packed by mid-June, so use a broadfork rather than tilling to aerate without destroying fungal networks in your garlic beds.
- Take advantage of the cool nights lingering into May to plant heat-loving transplants like okra and scarlet runner beans directly; they thrive here once soil temperatures hit 65°F.
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 spider mites on your Zinnia and Marigold beds, which often explode in population during Spokane's hot, dry winds in late spring.
- Early-season blight is a risk for your Bell Peppers and Tomatillos; inspect lower leaves weekly and remove any spotted foliage immediately.
- Cutworms are still active near the base of your Pole Bean and Bush Bean seedlings, so check stems every morning before the sun dries them out.
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.
Spokane gardening questions
3When should I stop covering my garlic bed with straw mulch?
You can remove or thin out the heavy winter mulch now that daytime temperatures are consistently above 50°F and the soil has thawed completely. Leaving some residue helps retain moisture, but ensure it isn't touching the green shoots directly to prevent rot.
My cantaloupe and honeydew vines are growing fast but have no fruit yet; is this normal for Spokane?
Yes, melons in our zone 7a climate often take until late June or early July to set fruit because they require sustained heat that we don't get until mid-June. Keep water consistent at the base of the plant and avoid overhead watering to encourage flowering.
Can I still start seeds indoors for potatoes this week, or is it too late?
It is actually ideal time to chit (sprout) your seed potatoes indoors under a cool 70°F light source before planting them into the ground next month. While you are harvesting existing potatoes now, starting new seed tubers ensures you get a full crop by mid-summer.
Other cities in zone 7a
12See the full zone 7a guide → · Plan your Spokane garden in SproutGuide →