What to plant this week in Fargo, ND
Fargo gardeners are currently in the final sprint of the season, with frost officially expected around September 25. This week is critical for harvesting your heat-loving crops like Beefsteak tomatoes and Habanero peppers before night temperatures drop near freezing. While garlic can still be sown now for next year's crop, focus primarily on pulling your summer harvests while they are at peak flavor.
The next 7 days
Fargo, NDGrowing in Fargo right now
- With Fargo's short growing window ending soon, prioritize harvesting all warm-season crops immediately; do not wait for the official frost date as a hard freeze can occur early in Zone 4a.
- The region's clay-heavy soil retains moisture well late in the season, but ensure good drainage around remaining potato and squash plants to prevent rot during sporadic fall rain showers.
- Cut back on watering significantly now that summer growth has slowed; allowing roots to dry slightly helps harden off transplants if you are saving seeds or extending blooms with winter squashes.
Sow this week
1 crops- Garlic
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
46 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
- Habanero Pepper
- Honeydew Melon
- Jalapeño
- Leek
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Marconi Pepper
- Nasturtium
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Rutabaga
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Mulch around potatoes and squash to retain moisture as summer heat peaks.
- Deadhead Cosmos and Zinnias regularly to encourage more blooms throughout the season.
- Space newly harvested Brassicas like Brussels Sprouts carefully to allow room for final growth.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites may still attack stressed tomato and pepper plants as temperatures cool, so inspect undersides of leaves weekly.
- Watch for late-season squash vine borers on zucchini and summer squash that haven't been harvested yet; cut infested vines at the soil line if damage is spotted.
- Monitor for aphids on the new growth of sunflowers and cosmos, which can become a nuisance before hard frosts take them out.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of large crops like pumpkins and squash in the early morning to reduce evaporation.
Now is an excellent time to start planning your garlic planting schedule for next fall, as it requires cool soil to establish roots before winter.
Fargo gardening questions
3Can I still plant garlic in Fargo this week?
Yes, now is the ideal time to sow garlic cloves for next year's harvest in our Zone 4a climate. Ensure you use a well-drained spot and protect the bed from heavy rain if possible.
How do I tell when my Buffalo tomatoes are ready to pick before frost?
Your Beefsteak tomatoes should be picked when they reach full color but are still slightly firm; they will ripen further off the vine. If a frost threatens, bring any unripe green fruit indoors or into an unheated garage.
Should I stop watering my winter squash and pumpkins now?
Reduce watering rather than stopping completely to prevent shriveling of the fruit before a hard freeze. Let the soil dry out between waterings so the vines can direct energy into maturing the gourd.
Other cities in zone 4a
2See the full zone 4a guide → · Plan your Fargo garden in SproutGuide →