What to plant this week in Spokane, WA
With the average last frost date in Spokane falling on April 3, this week marks a critical transition for our Zone 7a gardeners as we push aggressively into late spring planting. While temperatures are finally climbing above our zero-degree minimums, keep an eye on the lingering chill that can still damage tender transplants like basil and bush beans before they harden off.
The next 7 days
Spokane, WAGrowing in Spokane right now
- Take advantage of this week's transplant window to move cold-hardy crops like garlic, fennel, and winter squash into your prepared beds, as the soil is warming enough for root establishment without frost risk.
- Don't rush the sow-now list yet; wait until mid-April when soil temperatures consistently hit 50°F before sowing warm-season seeds like sweet corn or southern peas (cowpea).
- Spokane's dry climate and alkaline, often compacted soils require you to amend planting holes with compost and ensure deep watering immediately after transplanting heat-loving crops like okra and melons.
- Be mindful of the city's steep terrain on the eastern slopes; use mulch heavily around watermelons and pumpkins to retain moisture as our typical spring rain patterns are often brief and unpredictable.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
37 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
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans or carrots every two weeks to extend your summer harvest window.
- Pinch back the tips of basil and Italian herbs like summer savory to encourage bushier growth before frost.
- Start planning your fall crop rotation; avoid planting nightshades in beds that held them last year.
- Apply a light layer of compost around perennials now to strengthen roots for winter dormancy.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for early-season aphid colonies forming on the undersides of newly transplanted basil, zinnias, and cosmos as temperatures stabilize.
- Slugs and snails remain active in damp microclimates near riverbanks or low-lying areas, threatening young lettuce alternatives like malabar spinach and nasturtiums.
- Monitor for root-knot nematodes if you are planting summer squash or cucumbers this week, especially in raised beds that haven't been rotated from previous years.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to keep roots hydrated during heat waves while reducing fungal risks on leafy greens.
Harvest watermelons when they make a hollow sound upon tapping, ensuring you get the sweetest fruit before the first frost hits.
Spokane gardening questions
3Can I plant my basil and bush beans indoors now?
Since the last frost is expected around April 3, you should wait until after that date to transplant these tender crops outdoors. Starting them indoors now risks damage if a late freeze occurs before the ground warms up sufficiently for their roots.
What specific soil amendments work best for our local climate?
Given Spokane's naturally alkaline and often clay-heavy soils, mix in generous amounts of compost or aged manure to improve drainage for crops like zucchini and gourds. Adding a touch of sulfur can help lower the pH if you notice signs of nutrient lockout in your acid-loving plants.
How do I protect my new transplants from our typical spring winds?
Use temporary row covers or garden fleece to shield delicate seedlings like shiso and edamame from the gusty northwest winds common in April. Ensure the fabric is loosely draped so it doesn't overheat the plants while still acting as a physical barrier.
Other cities in zone 7a
12See the full zone 7a guide → · Plan your Spokane garden in SproutGuide →