What to plant this week in St. Louis, MO
With last frost historically around April 3 and overnight lows dipping near freezing, St. Louis gardeners this week are focused on harvesting cool-season crops like parsnips and leeks before the chill sets in deep. It is also prime time to start heat-loving treasures such as okra, bush beans, and zinnias directly into your sunny spots now that the soil has warmed up.
The next 7 days
St. Louis, MOGrowing in St. Louis right now
- St. Louis clay-heavy soils hold water tightly; add generous amounts of compost or aged manure this week to improve drainage for new squash and bean plantings.
- The city's urban heat island effect can delay frost by a few days, but don't risk tender starts outdoors yet—wait until mid-April for most transplants.
- Watch the soil moisture closely during brief spring rain showers common in the Metro area; avoid overwatering seedlings that are just emerging from the cold snap.
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
- Cutworms often attack young bean and squash stems in St. Louis gardens right after emergence; check collar areas daily and hand-pick any suspects.
- Early aphid colonies may form on the undersides of new lettuce or brassica leaves if temperatures stay mild above 50°F.
- Slugs thrive in the city's damp clay microclimates during cool nights, so inspect low-growing nasturtiums and clover for signs of grazing.
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.
St. Louis gardening questions
3Can I still plant tomatoes this week in St. Louis?
No, it is too early to transplant tomatoes outdoors as the risk of frost remains until mid-April according to our local climate patterns.
What vegetables should I harvest now that the cold snap might return?
Focus on pulling parsnips, leeks, and garlic scapes immediately if you see temps dropping toward zero tonight.
How do I handle heavy clay soil when planting zucchini this week?
Dig deep holes and mix in several inches of organic matter to ensure proper drainage for your squash roots.
Other cities in zone 7a
12See the full zone 7a guide → · Plan your St. Louis garden in SproutGuide →