What to plant this week in Springfield, IL
Springfield gardeners are hitting the season's sweet spot with warm soil and stable warmth, making this the peak week to plant heat-loving staples like okra and malabar spinach. With your last frost officially behind us on April 21, you can confidently transplant your summer savors and move those hardy greens into full production without fearing a late freeze.
The next 7 days
Springfield, ILGrowing in Springfield right now
- Springfield's clay-heavy soil tends to stay cool deep down; loosen the beds thoroughly before planting beans or squash to ensure proper root establishment for the hot summer ahead.
- Expect afternoon thunderstorms typical of Southern Illinois summers, so consider row covers for young seedlings or mulch heavily around watermelons and pumpkins to retain moisture during dry spells.
- Take advantage of our mild October 17 first frost date by planting garlic now in raised beds to maximize bulb size before the winter dormancy cycle begins.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
41 crops- Basil
- Borage
- 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)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- 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 and sweet corn every two weeks for continuous harvests through summer.
- Pinch back the tops of zucchini and squash plants now to encourage more fruit development rather than just vines.
- Cut back dying foliage on basil and borage after heavy harvesting to promote a second, smaller flush of growth.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites may appear on summer savory and basil if drought stress sets in during July heatwaves common in Sangamon County.
- Watch for bean leaf beetles targeting your pole beans and scarlet runner beans early in their growth phase.
- Monitor squash vine borers on zucchini and yellow summer squash, as egg-laying females are active when daytime temps hit 80°F.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to reduce evaporation while supporting heavy fruit production on melons and squash.
Pull any volunteer weeds immediately around your transplants like edamame and fennel before they compete for nutrients.
Springfield gardening questions
3Can I plant watermelon and cantaloupe now without waiting for soil to warm further?
Yes, Springfield's current temperatures support immediate planting of these melons since the ground has warmed past 60°F after our April thaw. Just ensure you water deeply as they are sensitive to cool, wet starts.
What is the best strategy for growing garlic in this climate given the frost dates?
Plant your garlic cloves immediately while the soil is still workable before the average first frost of October 17 sets in. This timing allows the bulbs to establish roots over winter and push a strong shoot by spring.
Are there any edible flowers I can harvest this week that thrive in local heat?
Cosmos, zinnia, and nasturtium are all ready for cutting or seeding now as they flourish in our hot summer conditions. These natives to the region provide excellent pollinator habitat alongside your vegetable beds.
Other cities in zone 6a
12See the full zone 6a guide → · Plan your Springfield garden in SproutGuide →