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What to plant this week in Kingston, ON

Week of 2026-W36

As May 1 approaches in Kingston, your last frost is right around the corner, signaling the perfect time to push out heat-loving transplants like basil, beans, and squash before mid-May. While early spring sowings are still too risky for tender seeds, this week marks the strategic shift from soil prep to active planting of warm-weather crops that thrive in our humid climate.

The next 7 days

Kingston, ON
Today
9/6
72° 57°
Mon
9/7
74° 54°
Tue
9/8
71° 59°
Wed
9/9
72° 65° 💧74%
Thu
9/10
76° 60° 💧47%
Fri
9/11
70° 51°
Sat
9/12
70° 59°
Avg high 72°F Rain total 0.7" Humidity 73% Wind 9 mph
On the ground

Growing in Kingston right now

  • Kingston's clay-heavy soils retain moisture well but require thorough mixing with compost before transplanting delicate starts like French Marigolds and Zinnia.
  • Watch for late spring 'April showers' typical of the Thousand Islands region; ensure young Brassicas like Brussels Sprouts are mulched to prevent root rot from saturated ground.
  • The microclimate near the St. Lawrence River can create cooler pockets, so consider using black plastic or cloches to warm soil before planting early Warm-weather crops like Cucumbers and Pumpkins.
  • Native pollinators are returning to local gardens now; avoid spraying ornamental plants like Cosmos or Dahlia with insecticides during this critical week.
In the ground

Sow this week

No direct sowing windows open this week.

Move out

Transplant this week

Nothing is due to go out this week.

Coming ripe

Harvest soon

44 crops
  • Basil
  • 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)
  • Nasturtium
  • Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
  • Parsnip
  • Pole Bean
  • Potato
  • Pumpkin
  • Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
  • Scarlet Runner Bean
  • Shiso (Japanese Basil)
  • Summer Savory
  • Sunflower
  • Sweet Corn
  • Thai Basil
  • Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
  • Watermelon
  • Winter Squash
  • Yellow Summer Squash
  • Zinnia
  • Zucchini
Do this now

Seasonal tips

  • Harvest bush beans, cucumbers, and yellow summer squash regularly to encourage continued production.
  • Deadhead spent flowers like cosmos and zinnia to keep the plants looking tidy and blooming longer.
  • Check on garlic scapes if planted early this spring; it's time to harvest them soon.
Keep watch

Pest & disease watch

  • Cabbage Looper larvae may appear on Brussels Sprouts and Kale as temperatures stabilize, looking for small white worms eating leaf margins.
  • Spider mites can emerge quickly in our humid spring air, targeting newly transplanted Fennel and Garden Verbena if watering becomes irregular.
  • Late-season aphids often cluster on the tender stems of Shiso and Thai Basil; a strong water spray is usually sufficient control.
Water

Watering this week

Water deeply in the morning to keep roots hydrated during this warm growing season while letting soil dry slightly between sessions.

One more thing

Pinch back any leggy basil or shiso plants now to promote bushier growth before the heat peaks.

Asked locally

Kingston gardening questions

3
When exactly should I plant my Garlic this week in Kingston?

You can still plant hardneck Garlic varieties now, as ground temps are dropping enough to trigger dormancy before winter sets in on December 15. Ensure the soil is workable but not frozen solid to avoid damaging the cloves during insertion.

How do I protect my early Bush Beans and Pole Beans from late frost?

Use floating row covers immediately after transplanting these beans to create a protective barrier against any unexpected dips below freezing before mid-May. Remove the covers once daytime temperatures consistently stay above 50°F for three days.

Is now too late to start seeds indoors for my Summer Squash or Zucchini?

It is generally past the ideal window for starting these heavy feeders indoors, as they struggle if transplanted after mid-May in our zone. Instead, wait until soil temperatures reach 60°F consistently next week and plant them directly into prepared beds to avoid root shock.

Nearby

Other cities in zone 5b

8

Burlington, VT · Madison, WI · Des Moines, IA · Fort Collins, CO · Cheyenne, WY · Montreal, QC · Charlottetown, PE · St. John's, NL

See the full zone 5b guide → · Plan your Kingston garden in SproutGuide →