What to plant this week in Windsor, ON
With the last frost in Windsor averaging April 3, your garden is officially waking up as we move into mid-spring warmth. This week marks the critical transition for hardy crops like garlic and early transplants, while heat-loving squash and beans are ready to be sown directly into the soil.
The next 7 days
Windsor, ONGrowing in Windsor right now
- Windsor's clay-heavy Riverbank loam can freeze deeply in winter; till now to incorporate organic matter before planting seeds this week.
- Be mindful of the 'Windsor Effect,' where lake breezes keep nights slightly warmer than inland zones, allowing you to start sowing warm-season crops like cucumbers and beans earlier than typical Ontario advice.
- Rainfall often tapers off in late spring here; use mulch heavily around newly planted zinnias and cosmos to retain moisture as the dry heat builds up.
- The flat terrain along the Detroit River offers little drainage slope, so ensure your raised beds for edamame and sweet corn have excellent internal drainage.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
37 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
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans or carrots every two weeks to extend your summer harvest window.
- Pinch back the tips of basil and Italian herbs like summer savory to encourage bushier growth before frost.
- Start planning your fall crop rotation; avoid planting nightshades in beds that held them last year.
- Apply a light layer of compost around perennials now to strengthen roots for winter dormancy.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for early aphid colonies forming on young basil and nasturtium plants before the summer rush.
- Cutworms are active at soil level right now; inspect the base of any transplanted okra or fennel seedlings nightly.
- Powdery mildew can strike early-season squash and melons if humidity remains high during the warm, calm spring mornings.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to keep roots hydrated during heat waves while reducing fungal risks on leafy greens.
Harvest watermelons when they make a hollow sound upon tapping, ensuring you get the sweetest fruit before the first frost hits.
Windsor gardening questions
3When is the safest time to plant my zucchini and yellow summer squash in Windsor?
Since our average last frost is April 3, you can sow these directly into the ground now as long as the soil temperature has warmed up above 60°F (15°C). Avoid planting too early if a late cold snap arrives after the 3rd.
Can I transplant my garlic or move overwintered seedlings this week?
Garlic should already be in the ground by now, but you can mulch heavily to protect roots as temperatures hover near our 0°F minimum. For other transplants, wait until after the frost date unless using a cold frame.
My beans are growing slowly; is this normal for Windsor spring weather?
Yes, soil warming in our clay loam can be slower than in sandy areas, so pole beans and bush beans may emerge later than expected. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to encourage faster germination.
Other cities in zone 7a
12See the full zone 7a guide → · Plan your Windsor garden in SproutGuide →