What to plant this week in Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati gardeners are officially in the golden window of late spring and early summer, with frost risk largely behind us until mid-May. This week marks the perfect time to transplant your heat-loving crops like basil, okra, and peppers as daytime warmth stabilizes after our typical April 21 average last frost date.
The next 7 days
Cincinnati, OHGrowing in Cincinnati right now
- Take advantage of Cincinnati's heavy clay soil by ensuring excellent drainage when planting squash and melons this week; consider adding compost or using raised beds if waterlogging is a concern in your yard. The city's dense urban canopy offers welcome shade for heat-sensitive transplants like French marigolds and cosmos, but ensure they receive at least 6 hours of sun daily. While our rainfall often peaks in spring, be prepared to supplement watering during dry spells common in May as temperatures rise.
- Monitor soil moisture closely in the low-lying areas along the Ohio River, where cold air pockets can sometimes linger even when the rest of the city is warm enough for zinnias and cosmos.
- With summer squash and pole beans ready to harvest soon, keep a lookout for maturing fruits on your vines between now and mid-June.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
45 crops- Basil
- Borage
- 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)
- Honeydew Melon
- Leek
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- 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
- Keep a close eye on pollinator-friendly flowers like Cosmos and Zinnia to ensure good seed set.
- Harvest bush beans and cucumbers frequently to encourage continued production throughout summer.
- Protect young transplants from late spring chill with row covers if an unexpected cold snap occurs.
- Plan succession sowing for cool-season crops now so they are ready as the weather cools in October.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are becoming active in Cincinnati's warmer pockets this week, especially on newly transplanted basil, sweet potato vine, and okra; check undersides of leaves for webbing or stippling. Early blight can appear on older foliage of tomatoes and squash as humidity increases, so space plants well to improve airflow around your harvest.
- Aphids often target the tender new growth of nasturtiums and cosmos in our spring weather, making them a prime candidate for early inspection before populations explode.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to reduce evaporation and prevent fungal issues on leafy greens.
Save seeds from your best-performing varieties like French Marigold and Zinnia to start your next season's garden early.
Cincinnati gardening questions
3Is it safe to bring out my winter squash and pumpkins now that we are past the last frost?
Yes, Cincinnati's average last frost date is April 21, so your hardy winter squashes like pumpkin and butternut can go outdoors immediately if acclimated. However, keep an eye on overnight temperatures in our river valley areas until they consistently stay above freezing.
When should I start harvesting my bush beans and pole beans this season?
You can begin snapping your bush beans as soon as the pods are 2-3 inches long and tender, which is likely happening within the next few weeks. For pole beans in Zone 6b, wait until they have climbed several feet up their trellises before expecting a steady daily harvest.
How do I protect my garlic crop from bolting or going dormant too early?
Since our first frost average isn't until October 24, your garlic should still be building bulbs in the ground. Ensure they are getting consistent moisture during this dry spell to encourage bulb enlargement before the final summer heat sets in.
Other cities in zone 6b
12See the full zone 6b guide → · Plan your Cincinnati garden in SproutGuide →