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SproutGuide

What to plant this week in Zone 7a

Week of 2026-W31

With the average last frost date of April 3 behind us, Zone 7a gardeners are well into the growing season. This week offers a fantastic opportunity to sow warm-season crops like basil and cucumbers while harvesting your early beans and tomatoes.

The next 7 days

Sample: Boston, MA
Today
7/28
85° 64° 💧24%
Wed
7/29
76° 66° 💧64%
Thu
7/30
68° 63° 💧74%
Fri
7/31
67° 63° 💧36%
Sat
8/1
69° 62°
Sun
8/2
70° 63° 💧16%
Mon
8/3
72° 66° 💧30%
Avg high 72°F Rain total 0.9" Humidity 90% Wind 7.7 mph
In the ground

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
Move out

Transplant this week

Nothing is due to go out this week.

Coming ripe

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
Do this now

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.
Keep watch

Pest & disease watch

  • Watch for aphids clustering on new growth of basil, nasturtiums, and sunflowers; spray with water or insecticidal soap if needed.
  • Inspect the undersides of bean leaves for spider mites, especially as temperatures rise.
  • Check tomato and pepper plants early in the morning for signs of hornworm activity.
Water

Watering this week

Provide deep watering every 2-3 days to keep soil consistently moist but not soggy during this active growth phase.

One more thing

Harvest your basil frequently by snipping off flower buds now to prevent seeding, which ensures continued leaf production and stronger flavor.

All year

Zone 7a planting calendar

153 crops

Average planting and harvest windows for everything that grows in zone 7a — dates shift a week or two with the season, so treat them as a starting point and check the weekly guide above for what's open right now.

Vegetables 70

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Anaheim (New Mexico) Pepper Feb 6 – Feb 20 — Apr 17 – May 1 Jul 1 – Jul 20 78d
Artichoke Feb 6 – Feb 20 — Apr 3 – Apr 17 — 165d
Arugula — Mar 6 – Apr 17 — Apr 5 – May 27 35d
Asparagus — — Mar 6 – Apr 3 — 2.5 yr
Banana Pepper Feb 6 – Feb 20 — Apr 17 – May 1 Jun 21 – Jul 20 73d
Beefsteak Tomato Feb 20 – Mar 6 — Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jun 29 – Jul 28 88d
Beet — Mar 6 – May 1 — Apr 25 – Jul 10 60d
Bell Pepper Feb 6 – Feb 20 — Apr 17 – May 1 Jun 16 – Jul 30 75d
Bok Choy — Mar 20 – Apr 17 — Apr 29 – Jun 6 45d
Broccoli Feb 13 – Feb 27 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 14 – Jun 12 63d
Brussels Sprouts Feb 20 – Mar 6 — Apr 3 – Apr 17 Jul 2 – Aug 5 100d
Bush Bean — Apr 10 – Aug 24 — May 30 – Oct 23 55d
Cabbage Feb 6 – Feb 20 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 29 – Jul 2 80d
Carrot — Mar 13 – May 1 — May 12 – Jul 20 70d
Cauliflower Feb 13 – Feb 27 — Apr 3 – Apr 17 May 28 – Jul 1 65d
Cayenne Pepper Feb 6 – Feb 20 — Apr 17 – May 1 Jun 26 – Jul 20 75d
Celery Jan 23 – Feb 6 — Apr 3 – Apr 17 Jul 12 – Aug 25 115d
Cherry Tomato Feb 20 – Mar 6 — Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jun 4 – Jul 3 63d
Collard Greens — Mar 20 – Apr 17 Apr 3 – Apr 17 May 14 – Jul 1 65d
Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea) — Apr 17 – Jul 25 — Jun 16 – Oct 23 75d
Cucumber — Apr 17 – Aug 19 Apr 17 – May 1 Jun 6 – Oct 23 58d
Edamame — Apr 17 – Jul 25 — Jul 1 – Oct 23 83d
Eggplant Feb 6 – Feb 20 — Apr 17 – May 1 Jun 21 – Jul 25 75d
Fava (Broad) Bean — Feb 20 – Mar 20 — May 1 – Jun 28 85d
Flour Corn — Apr 10 – Jun 25 — Jul 9 – Oct 23 105d
Garden Pea — Feb 20 – Mar 20 — Apr 16 – May 29 63d
Garlic — Oct 9 – Nov 20 — Jun 6 – Nov 27 255d
Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) Jan 23 – Feb 6 — Apr 17 – May 1 Jul 26 – Aug 29 110d
Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle) — Apr 17 – Jun 25 — Jul 26 – Oct 23 110d
Habanero Pepper Feb 6 – Feb 20 — Apr 17 – May 1 Jul 16 – Aug 9 95d
Jalapeño Feb 6 – Feb 20 — Apr 17 – May 1 Jun 21 – Jul 25 75d
Kale Feb 20 – Mar 6 Mar 20 – Apr 17 Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 9 – Jun 21 58d
Kohlrabi — Mar 6 – Apr 3 — Apr 15 – May 28 48d
Leek Jan 23 – Feb 6 — Apr 3 – Apr 17 Jul 12 – Aug 15 110d
Lettuce Feb 20 – Mar 6 Mar 6 – Apr 17 Mar 20 – Apr 3 Apr 20 – Jun 16 53d
Lima Bean — Apr 17 – Jul 25 — Jun 21 – Oct 23 78d
Loofah (Luffa) — Apr 17 – May 26 Apr 17 – May 1 Jul 16 – Oct 23 120d
Malabar Spinach Mar 13 – Mar 20 Apr 17 – Aug 14 Apr 17 – May 1 Jun 16 – Oct 23 65d
Marconi Pepper Feb 6 – Feb 20 — Apr 17 – May 1 Jul 1 – Jul 25 80d
Mustard Greens — Mar 6 – Apr 17 — Apr 10 – Jun 1 40d
Napa Cabbage Feb 6 – Feb 20 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 9 – Jun 22 65d
Okra — Apr 24 – Aug 19 Apr 24 – May 8 Jun 18 – Oct 23 60d
Onion Jan 23 – Feb 6 — Mar 6 – Mar 20 Jun 4 – Jul 8 100d
Parsnip — Mar 20 – Apr 17 — Jun 28 – Aug 15 110d
Poblano Pepper Feb 6 – Feb 20 — Apr 17 – May 1 Jun 21 – Jul 20 73d
Pole Bean — Apr 10 – Aug 14 — Jun 9 – Oct 23 65d
Potato — Mar 20 – Apr 17 — May 29 – Aug 15 95d
Pumpkin — Apr 17 – Jun 25 — Jul 21 – Oct 23 108d
Radish — Mar 6 – May 1 — Mar 28 – May 31 26d
Rhubarb — — Mar 6 – Apr 3 — 1.5 yr
Roma Tomato Feb 20 – Mar 6 — Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jun 19 – Jul 13 75d
Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus) — Apr 24 – May 26 Apr 24 – May 8 Aug 2 – Oct 23 125d
Rutabaga — Mar 20 – Apr 17 — Jun 18 – Jul 26 95d
Scallion (Bunching Onion) — Mar 6 – May 1 — May 5 – Jul 10 65d
Scarlet Runner Bean — Apr 10 – Aug 14 — Jun 9 – Oct 23 65d
Serrano Pepper Feb 6 – Feb 20 — Apr 17 – May 1 Jul 1 – Jul 20 78d
Shallot — — Mar 6 – Mar 20 Jun 4 – Jun 28 95d
Shishito Pepper Feb 6 – Feb 20 — Apr 17 – May 1 Jun 11 – Jul 5 60d
Snow Pea — Feb 20 – Mar 20 — Apr 21 – May 29 65d
Spinach — Feb 20 – Apr 3 — Mar 27 – May 18 40d
Sugar Snap Pea — Feb 20 – Mar 20 — Apr 16 – May 24 60d
Sweet Corn — Apr 10 – Jul 25 — Jun 14 – Oct 23 78d
Sweet Potato — — Apr 17 – May 15 Jul 16 – Sep 12 105d
Swiss Chard — Mar 20 – May 1 — May 9 – Jun 30 55d
Tomatillo Feb 20 – Mar 6 — Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jun 24 – Aug 2 88d
Tomato Feb 20 – Mar 6 — Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jun 9 – Jul 18 73d
Turnip — Mar 6 – Apr 17 — Apr 15 – Jun 16 50d
Winter Squash — Apr 17 – Jul 5 — Jul 16 – Oct 23 100d
Yellow Summer Squash Mar 13 – Mar 20 Apr 17 – Aug 29 Apr 17 – May 1 Jun 1 – Oct 23 50d
Zucchini Mar 13 – Mar 20 Apr 17 – Aug 29 Apr 17 – May 1 Jun 1 – Oct 23 50d

Herbs 21

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Anise Hyssop — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 1.5 yr
Basil Feb 20 – Mar 6 Apr 17 – Aug 14 Apr 17 – May 1 Jun 6 – Oct 23 60d
Chervil — Mar 20 – Apr 17 — May 4 – Jun 16 53d
Chives — Mar 6 – Apr 3 Mar 20 – Apr 17 — 75d
Cilantro — Mar 20 – Apr 17 — Apr 29 – Jun 11 48d
Dill — Mar 20 – May 1 — Apr 29 – Jun 25 48d
Fennel — Apr 3 – Jul 25 — Jun 7 – Oct 23 78d
French Tarragon — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 85d
German Chamomile — Mar 20 – Apr 17 — May 19 – Jun 21 63d
Ginger — — May 1 – May 29 — 270d
Lemon Balm — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 80d
Lemongrass — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 105d
Mint — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 75d
Oregano — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 85d
Parsley Jan 23 – Feb 6 — Mar 20 – Apr 17 May 29 – Jul 16 80d
Rosemary — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 273d
Sage — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 83d
Shiso (Japanese Basil) Feb 20 – Mar 6 Apr 10 – Jul 30 Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jun 19 – Oct 23 78d
Summer Savory Feb 20 – Mar 6 Apr 17 – Aug 14 Apr 17 – May 1 Jun 16 – Oct 23 65d
Thai Basil Feb 20 – Mar 6 Apr 17 – Aug 9 Apr 17 – May 1 Jun 16 – Oct 23 68d
Thyme — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 135d

Fruits 25

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Almond — — Mar 20 – May 1 — 3.5 yr
Apple — — Mar 6 – Apr 17 — 3.5 yr
Apricot — — Mar 6 – Apr 17 — 3.5 yr
Black Walnut — — Mar 20 – May 1 — 4.5 yr
Blackberry — — Mar 6 – Apr 3 — 1.2 yr
Blueberry — — Mar 20 – May 1 — 2.5 yr
Cantaloupe Mar 13 – Mar 20 Apr 17 – Jul 25 Apr 17 – May 1 Jun 26 – Oct 23 80d
Cranberry — — Mar 20 – May 1 — 1.5 yr
Elderberry — — Mar 20 – May 1 — 2.5 yr
English (Persian) Walnut — — Mar 20 – May 1 — 4.5 yr
Gooseberry — — Mar 20 – May 1 — 2.5 yr
Grape — — Mar 20 – Apr 17 — 2.5 yr
Ground Cherry Feb 20 – Mar 6 — Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jun 14 – Jul 8 70d
Honeyberry (Haskap) — — Mar 20 – May 1 — 2.5 yr
Honeydew Melon Mar 13 – Mar 20 Apr 17 – Jul 15 Apr 17 – May 1 Jul 6 – Oct 23 90d
Peach — — Mar 6 – Apr 17 — 2.5 yr
Pear — — Mar 6 – Apr 17 — 3.5 yr
Pecan — — Mar 20 – May 1 — 4.5 yr
Plum — — Mar 6 – Apr 17 — 3.5 yr
Raspberry — — Mar 6 – Apr 3 — 1.2 yr
Red/Black Currant — — Mar 20 – May 1 — 2.5 yr
Strawberry — — Mar 6 – Apr 3 — 243d
Sweet Cherry — — Mar 6 – Apr 17 — 3.5 yr
Tart (Pie) Cherry — — Mar 6 – Apr 17 — 3.5 yr
Watermelon Mar 13 – Mar 20 Apr 17 – Jul 20 Apr 17 – May 1 Jul 1 – Oct 23 85d

Flowers 37

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Bachelor's Button (Cornflower) — Mar 6 – Apr 17 — May 10 – Jun 26 68d
Bee Balm — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 1.5 yr
Black-Eyed Susan — Apr 3 – Jun 25 Apr 3 – May 1 — 110d
Borage — Apr 3 – Aug 14 — May 28 – Oct 23 63d
Butterfly Milkweed — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 1.5 yr
Calendula — Mar 20 – Apr 17 — May 4 – Jun 16 53d
Cleome (Spider Flower) — Apr 10 – Aug 9 — Jun 4 – Oct 23 65d
Cosmos — Apr 10 – Jul 25 — Jun 9 – Oct 23 75d
Dahlia — — Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jul 9 – Aug 22 105d
Delphinium — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 1.5 yr
French Marigold Feb 27 – Mar 13 Apr 10 – Aug 24 Apr 10 – Apr 24 May 25 – Oct 23 53d
Garden Geranium (Zonal) Jan 23 – Feb 6 — Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jun 19 – Jul 23 80d
Garden Phlox — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 1.5 yr
Garden Rose (Shrub) — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 1.5 yr
Garden Verbena Feb 6 – Feb 20 Apr 10 – Jul 25 Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jun 19 – Oct 23 80d
Hardy Hibiscus — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 1.5 yr
Hearts & Flowers (Heartleaf Iceplant) — — Apr 10 – May 1 — 75d
Hollyhock Feb 6 – Feb 20 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 — 1.5 yr
Lantana Feb 6 – Feb 20 — Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jun 19 – Jul 23 80d
Lavender — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 1.5 yr
Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian) Jan 9 – Jan 23 — Apr 17 – May 1 Jul 26 – Aug 29 110d
Nasturtium — Apr 10 – Aug 19 — May 30 – Oct 23 58d
New England Aster — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 1.5 yr
Oriental Poppy — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 1.5 yr
Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine — — Apr 17 – May 15 Jun 16 – Aug 13 75d
Panicle Hydrangea — — Mar 20 – May 1 — 2.5 yr
Pansy Jan 23 – Feb 6 — Mar 6 – Mar 20 May 15 – Jun 18 80d
Petunia Jan 23 – Feb 6 — Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jun 19 – Jul 23 80d
Purple Coneflower — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 1.5 yr
Salvia — — Apr 10 – Apr 24 — 110d
Sedum ('Autumn Joy'-type) — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 1.5 yr
Snapdragon Feb 6 – Feb 20 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 Jun 8 – Jul 12 90d
Sunflower — Apr 10 – Jul 15 — Jun 19 – Oct 23 85d
Sweet Alyssum — Mar 20 – Apr 17 Apr 3 – Apr 17 May 9 – Jun 16 55d
Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) Mar 6 – Mar 20 Apr 10 – Aug 9 Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jun 9 – Oct 23 68d
Yarrow — — Apr 3 – May 1 — 135d
Zinnia Mar 6 – Mar 20 Apr 10 – Aug 9 Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jun 9 – Oct 23 68d
Local pages

Cities in zone 7a

14

Boston, MA · Pittsburgh, PA · Providence, RI · Trenton, NJ · Allentown, PA · Louisville, KY · Lexington, KY · Cleveland, OH · St. Louis, MO · Wichita, KS · Spokane, WA · Boise, ID · Windsor, ON · Kelowna, BC

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