What to plant this week in Victoria, BC
Victoria gardeners, your mild 9a climate means there is no frost to fear yet, with average lows holding at 20°F and the last frost historically back in early February. This week focuses on maximizing harvests from warm-weather staples like basil, cucumbers, and beans while sowing heat-lovers such as watermelon and okra directly into this rain-soaked soil.
The next 7 days
Victoria, BCGrowing in Victoria right now
- Utilize your unique microclimates: if you are near the Inner Harbour or a west-facing slope, plant transplants of sunflowers and zucchini that usually wait for later zones, taking advantage of our extended growing season.
- Soil in Victoria tends to be heavy and clay-rich from the Fraser River deposits; amend planting beds with compost now to improve drainage before your spring rains intensify later this month.
- Our wet winter creates a 'green bridge' where weeds thrive; keep mulch thick around newly sown borage and cosmos to suppress germination without blocking out necessary light.
- Take advantage of the mild nights by planting frost-sensitive crops like cantaloupe and honeydew melon now, as they will not require hardening off in our zone 9a environment.
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
- Watch for aphids clustering on the new growth of your bush beans and pole beans; a strong jet of water from your hose is often sufficient to dislodge them before spraying.
- Slugs are currently active in the damp, cool nights typical of late winter/early spring; inspect low-growing nasturtiums and shiso leaves daily and hand-pick any found near garden edges.
- Monitor for fungal issues on garlic and fennel as humidity remains high; ensure good air circulation by spacing plants according to package instructions rather than crowding them.
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.
Victoria gardening questions
3Can I plant watermelon or okra seeds this week in Victoria?
Yes, you can sow these directly now because our zone 9a climate has already warmed sufficiently and the risk of a late frost is virtually non-existent. Just ensure the soil isn't waterlogged from recent rains before digging your seed holes.
What should I do about the wet soil conditions affecting my newly planted basil?
Since Victoria's clay soils retain moisture, avoid deep watering until the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, and consider adding coarse sand or pine bark to improve drainage.
My harvested garlic is ready; how do I cure it properly in this damp climate?
Harvest your garlic when the lower leaves have turned brown, then brush off excess dirt and lay the bulbs in a single layer under a covered porch or garage to air out.
Other cities in zone 9a
9See the full zone 9a guide → · Plan your Victoria garden in SproutGuide →