What to plant this week in Vancouver, BC
With average lows holding at 20°F and the last frost date safely behind us in early February, Vancouver gardeners are well past winter worry this week. The focus shifts entirely to maximizing growth before the December 15th first frost, especially for those late-season treasures like Daikon radishes and ornamental alliums ready to be sown directly into the cool soil.
The next 7 days
Vancouver, BCGrowing in Vancouver right now
- Protect young seedlings from lingering coastal chill snaps with row covers or cold frames, as microclimates near the Strait of Georgia can still dip below 20°F on clear nights.
- Take advantage of the heavy spring rains by mulching heavily around winter squash and pumpkins to prevent root rot in our often waterlogged clay-heavy soils.
- Monitor soil moisture closely; while rain is frequent, extended dry spells in late summer require consistent irrigation for thirsty crops like okra and bush beans.
- Begin planning succession planting now for your fall harvest of zucchini and yellow summer squash to ensure a continuous supply before the ground freezes.
Sow this week
2 crops- Daikon Radish
- Ornamental Allium
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
44 crops- Acorn Squash
- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Butternut Squash
- Cantaloupe
- Celosia (Cockscomb)
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Delicata Squash
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Morning Glory
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Purslane
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Spaghetti Squash
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow fast-maturing crops like Daikon Radish or Ornamental Allium to extend your season's variety.
- Mulch around heavy feeders like Okra and Bush Beans to retain moisture as summer heat intensifies.
- Deadhead Zinnias and Cosmos regularly to encourage continuous blooming for pollinators.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are becoming active on ornamental alliums and cosmos as temperatures stabilize, looking for dry, dusty spots on foliage.
- Slugs and snails remain a major threat to tender seedlings like shiso and nasturtium, especially in our humid, overcast conditions.
- Watch for aphid colonies forming on the new growth of morning glory and scarlet runner beans before they spread.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to reduce evaporation, especially during hot spells.
Harvest Edamame and Green Beans every two days to keep plants producing their best pods.
Vancouver gardening questions
3Can I still transplant anything into my Vancouver garden this week?
No, there are no plants listed for transplanting currently in our zone 9a climate. It is best to wait until warmer soil temperatures stabilize further or stick to direct sowing for varieties like Daikon radish and ornamental allium.
Which of my current crops will be ready for harvest soon?
Expect to see Acorn Squash, Basil, Borage, and Bush Beans coming in this week. You can also start looking out for Butternut Squash, Cantaloupe, Cucumber, and various squashes like Delicata and Zucchini as they mature rapidly in our mild summers.
Is it safe to sow Daikon Radish and Ornamental Allium now?
Yes, these are the two specific plants recommended for sowing immediately in Vancouver's current conditions. They handle our cool spring soil well and will establish strong root systems before the summer heat arrives.
Other cities in zone 9a
9See the full zone 9a guide → · Plan your Vancouver garden in SproutGuide →