What to plant this week in Louisville, KY
With last frost officially averaging April 3rd, Louisville gardeners are ready to push warm-season crops into the ground as soil temperatures finally climb above 50°F. This week marks a critical window for planting heat-loving staples like okra and southern peas that thrive in our humid River City summers.
The next 7 days
Louisville, KYGrowing in Louisville right now
- Our limestone-based soils near the Ohio River often stay cool longer than surrounding areas, so till deeply or add compost to warm the bed before placing squash seeds.
- Louisville's distinct summer humidity spikes quickly after spring; ensure young transplants have adequate spacing for airflow to prevent fungal issues on tomatoes and peppers.
- Take advantage of our flat terrain by installing raised beds with excellent drainage, as heavy clay pockets in low-lying neighborhoods can waterlog delicate seedlings.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
37 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- 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
- Thin out overcrowded seedlings to give remaining plants room for air circulation and sun.
- Apply a light layer of straw mulch around warm-weather crops to retain soil moisture during heat waves.
- Practice succession sowing with fast-maturing beans or radishes every two weeks to extend your harvest window.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch closely for cucumber beetles emerging from winter cover as they target your early squash and melon plants this week.
- Monitor for aphid swarms on the new growth of basil and fennel, which can spread rapidly in our warm, humid microclimates.
- Check transplanted okra and beans for spider mites, a common issue when heat waves hit our valley shortly after planting.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants in the early morning to reduce evaporation and prevent fungal diseases on wet foliage.
Harvest basil leaves regularly by pinching off stems just above a leaf pair to encourage bushier growth rather than flowering.
Louisville gardening questions
3Can I plant watermelon or cantaloupe seeds directly now?
Yes, these melons need soil temperatures of at least 70°F to germinate successfully in Louisville. Plant them deep enough—about an inch—to retain moisture while waiting for the ground to warm up.
What is the best time to transplant garlic before the winter chill returns?
Garlic loves our zone 7a climate, but get it in the ground by late October or early November so roots establish before the first frost.
How do I protect my harvest from birds eating young zucchini and beans?
Birds are particularly active in Louisville during late summer when fruit is ripening, so place netting or row covers immediately after pollination.
Other cities in zone 7a
12See the full zone 7a guide → · Plan your Louisville garden in SproutGuide →