What to plant this week in Toronto, ON
With average last frost now around April 21 and soil temperatures rising in Toronto's clay-rich loam, this week is all about hardening off those warm-season transplants like okra and bush beans. While the risk of late spring chill remains until mid-May, you can finally move heat-loving crops like tomatillos (if grown) or start your final sowing of quick-maturing varieties for a summer harvest.
The next 7 days
Toronto, ONGrowing in Toronto right now
- Toronto's heavy clay soil drains slowly, so amend beds with compost before planting warm-season crops like squash and pumpkins to prevent root rot during our humid springs.
- The city's urban heat island effect allows you to extend your growing season slightly; protect young plants from the unpredictable late frosts common in May rather than relying solely on calendar dates.
- Watch for heavy spring downpours typical of the GTA, which can wash away surface mulch—replenish straw or wood chips around newly transplanted zucchini and melons immediately after rain events.
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 cucumbers every two weeks for continuous harvests through August.
- Mulch heavily around young transplants and newly planted garlic to retain moisture as daytime temperatures rise.
- Pinch back the tips of bush beans and zucchini plants once they reach 6 inches to encourage branching and heavier fruit production.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are becoming active as temperatures climb above 15°C, especially on stressed basil and fennel plants in our humid microclimates.
- Slugs thrive in Toronto's damp spring weather, targeting young lettuce and bean seedlings; use copper tape or beer traps this week before they establish.
- Early aphid colonies may appear on tender new growth of sweet corn and sunflowers due to the mild, wet conditions of late April.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants early in the morning to reduce evaporation and prevent fungal diseases.
Harvest zucchini and summer squash frequently when they are small (6 inches) to signal the plant to keep producing fruit.
Toronto gardening questions
3Is it safe to move my tomato plants outside in Toronto right now?
No, wait until after May 1st when the soil has warmed above 50°F (10°C), as our average last frost is mid-April but cold snaps can still occur.
Can I plant garlic seeds or sets this week in my backyard garden?
Yes, now is the perfect time to plant hardneck garlic varieties like 'Music' or 'Siberian,' as the soil moisture helps establish roots before summer dormancy.
What should I do if my zucchini plants show yellowing leaves after heavy rain?
Check for root rot caused by waterlogged clay; ensure proper drainage and reduce watering until the soil dries slightly between irrigations.
Other cities in zone 6b
12See the full zone 6b guide → · Plan your Toronto garden in SproutGuide →