What to plant this week in Vancouver, BC
With temperatures hovering near 20°F and the last frost officially behind us on Feb 6, Vancouver gardeners are ready to push out cold-hardy seeds and early transplants. This week marks a critical transition from winter dormancy to active growth as the mild maritime climate allows for immediate sowing of warm-season crops like basil and beans.
The next 7 days
Vancouver, BCGrowing in Vancouver right now
- Vancouver's heavy clay soils often retain too much moisture; amend with generous amounts of compost or coarse sand before planting seeds this week.
- The region's unpredictable microclimates mean coastal fog can chill young seedlings at night—use row covers if frost threatens despite the February date.
- Heavy spring rains are common in March, so ensure drainage is excellent for squash and pumpkins to prevent root rot.
- Native blackberry brambles will start flowering soon; clear brush around vegetable beds to maximize light for your zucchini and sunflowers.
Sow this week
34 crops- Basil
- Black-Eyed Susan
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
36 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
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow Bush Beans and Pole Beans every two weeks now for a continuous summer supply.
- Mulch around newly transplanted Warm-Season crops like Zucchini to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Pinch back the tips of young Sunflowers to encourage bushier growth before they start flowering.
- Prepare soil beds with compost if you plan to sow Pumpkin or Winter Squash soon.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites may appear early on stressed plants due to fluctuating humidity levels near the coast.
- Watch for cutworms attacking newly transplanted tomato or pepper starts as soil warms up.
- Aphids often establish colonies quickly on young bean and fennel seedlings during this moisture-rich period.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to minimize evaporation, especially as temperatures rise past 85°F.
Harvest Basil regularly by snipping leafy stems from the top to keep the plant producing new growth all summer long.
Vancouver gardening questions
3Can I plant okra and melons right now in Vancouver's wet clay?
Yes, seeds for Okra, Cantaloupe, and Watermelon are ready to sow immediately since the frost date has passed. However, mix in plenty of organic matter to improve drainage as these plants hate sitting in soggy soil.
When should I start harvesting my first basil and bush beans?
You can harvest both Basil and Bush Bean soon if seedlings have established well after this week's sowing. Pick young leaves or immature pods regularly to encourage the plant to produce more foliage and fruit.
Are there specific diseases I should watch for in Vancouver gardens now?
Given our humid, rainy spring pattern, powdery mildew is a major risk for your Fennel, Sunflowers, and Melons. Space plants adequately for airflow and consider fungicidal sprays if you notice white dust on leaves.
Other cities in zone 9a
9See the full zone 9a guide → · Plan your Vancouver garden in SproutGuide →