What to plant this week in Victoria, BC
With average minimum temperatures hovering around 60°F and the last frost long behind us, Victoria's mild winter has officially turned into a season of non-stop growth. Gardeners across the Gulf Islands and Inner Harbour should focus on harvesting summer crops while sowing heat-loving favorites like okra and Thai basil directly into the cool, damp soil.
The next 7 days
Victoria, BCGrowing in Victoria right now
- Victoria's frequent spring fog can delay soil warming; consider using black landscape fabric or mulch to raise root-zone temperatures for beans and squash.
- The region's high rainfall requires vigilant drainage checks in low-lying areas near the Inner Harbour to prevent root rot in newly sown cucumbers and zinnias.
- Native clay-heavy soils common in the Saanich Peninsula benefit from generous compost integration before transplanting warm-season crops like scarlet runner beans.
- Watch for rapid humidity spikes after rain showers, which can trigger fungal issues on delicate flowers like French marigolds; ensure good air circulation.
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
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 every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout the summer heat.
- Mulch around newly transplanted squash and pumpkins to retain moisture and suppress weeds as temperatures rise.
- Pinch back the tops of basil plants regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are becoming active on ornamental Verbena and Shiso as the humid spring weather settles in.
- Early generations of aphids may be colonizing the new growth of nasturtiums and bush beans before natural predators arrive.
- Slugs are particularly destructive to seedling zucchini and pole bean sprouts during these damp, overcast conditions.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to help plants withstand afternoon heat while minimizing evaporation losses.
Harvest watermelon and cantaloupe regularly to signal the plant to continue producing fruit rather than stopping growth.
Victoria gardening questions
3Can I start my first annuals like Zinnias or Cosmos indoors now in Victoria?
No, because the average last frost date is February 6th, you should sow all of your heat-loving annuals directly into the ground right now rather than risking transplant shock later.
Which vegetable crops are ready for harvest this week if I planted them early?
Look out for mature cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and watermelon, while also picking fresh basil, okra, and bush beans that have been growing since the frost-free period.
How should I manage soil moisture given Victoria's unpredictable spring rain patterns?
Use organic mulch heavily around squash and cucumbers to retain moisture during dry spells while preventing waterlogging when heavy rains arrive suddenly near the coast.
Other cities in zone 9a
9See the full zone 9a guide → · Plan your Victoria garden in SproutGuide →