What to plant this week in Windsor, ON
Windsor gardeners are in the thick of peak summer production as temperatures hover near 80°F, with the season wrapping up just weeks away after your last frost on April 3. While the heat is perfect for harvesting late-season peppers and melons now, keep an eye on the calendar because average first frost won't hit until November 6.
The next 7 days
Windsor, ONGrowing in Windsor right now
- Soil in this river valley area can be heavy clay; loosen garden beds with organic compost to improve drainage before planting your final round of bush beans or squash.
- Wind coming off the Detroit River often dries out plant foliage quickly, so increase watering frequency for your okra and watermelon crops during these hot spells.
- Protect tender transplants like Vinca or Scarlet Runner Beans from sudden late-afternoon wind gusts using temporary row covers until they are fully established.
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
49 crops- Basil
- Beefsteak Tomato
- Bell Pepper
- Borage
- Brussels Sprouts
- 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)
- Habanero Pepper
- Honeydew Melon
- Leek
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Start succession planting bush beans and pole beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout summer.
- Apply a light layer of compost around heavy feeders like okra and squash to boost nutrient availability.
- Pinch back the tips of young zinnias and marigolds to encourage branching and fuller blooms.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are exploding in Windsor's hot, dry microclimate; check the undersides of your French Marigolds and Zinnias daily for webbing.
- Late-season root maggots are active near the river bottomlands; monitor your carrots and parsnips closely to prevent tunneling damage before harvest.
- Aphid colonies have formed on the new growth of Shiso and Thai Basil due to the warm nights; rinse plants with a strong water spray in the morning.
Watering this week
Provide deep watering every 2-3 days to keep soil consistently moist but not soggy during this active growth phase.
Harvest your basil frequently by snipping off flower buds now to prevent seeding, which ensures continued leaf production and stronger flavor.
Windsor gardening questions
3Can I still transplant anything into my Windsor garden this week, or should I only sow seeds?
There are no specific transplants listed for immediate planting right now, so it is best to stick to direct sowing for crops like Cleome and Malabar Spinach. Focus your energy on harvesting mature items like Beefsteak tomatoes and pumpkins instead.
When exactly should I start pulling my watermelons and cantaloupes in Windsor?
You can begin picking these melons soon, as they are ready for harvest now alongside the honeydews and summer squash. Look for a dull sound when tapped on the fruit's underside to confirm full ripeness before the frost date approaches.
My peppers look perfect but I'm worried about the upcoming weather; what should I do?
Since your first frost is not expected until November 6, you have plenty of time to let your Ghost Peppers and Habaneros mature fully. Cover any plants showing signs of stress with a lightweight row cover if a sudden cold snap occurs before that date.
Other cities in zone 7a
12See the full zone 7a guide → · Plan your Windsor garden in SproutGuide →