What to plant this week in Hamilton, ON
Hamilton's late April frost average means you are right on the cusp of hardening off your transplants, though keep an eye out for that lingering chill. This week is critical for harvesting your early summer crops like bush beans and zinnia before any unexpected snaps in temperature.
The next 7 days
Hamilton, ONGrowing in Hamilton right now
- Protect young perennials and tender starts under row covers or cloches against the common late-April frost pockets typical of Hamilton's Stoney Creek valley.
- Take advantage of the warm soil to transplant warm-season favorites like basil, cosmos, and sunflowers into full sun now that the ground has warmed above 50°F.
- Water deeply in the evening to combat the rapid evaporation caused by our humid lake-effect winds during this active growing week.
- Ensure drainage is excellent for newly planted garlic and leeks, as Hamilton's clay-heavy soils can become waterlogged after overnight rain showers.
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
- Monitor for aphid colonies forming on the undersides of newly transplanted basil and zinnia leaves due to high humidity.
- Watch closely for cutworms damaging the stems of young cucumber and squash seedlings in open ground beds this week.
- Check French marigolds and nasturtiums for spider mites, which often establish themselves quickly as temperatures climb.
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.
Hamilton gardening questions
3Can I finally plant my garlic cloves now, or is it too late for Hamilton?
Yes, this is the ideal window to plant garlic in Hamilton; the soil warmth helps root establishment before winter dormancy. Choose a sunny spot with loose soil and space them about 2 inches apart.
My zucchini and summer squash are showing signs of powdery mildew—what should I do?
Start by pruning out the most infected leaves to improve air circulation around your plants in our humid microclimate. Apply a sulfur-based fungicide or a homemade baking soda solution early in the morning when dew has evaporated.
I want to harvest my cantaloupe and honeydew soon, but how do I tell if they are truly ripe?
Look for a deep, uniform color and a strong, musky aroma at the blossom end; once they slip easily from the vine, they are ready to eat. Avoid leaving them on the plant too long after ripening, as our heavy winds can cause premature dropping.
Other cities in zone 6b
12See the full zone 6b guide → · Plan your Hamilton garden in SproutGuide →