What to plant this week in Saskatoon, SK
With the last frost date in Saskatoon still hovering around May 15, this week marks a critical pause for outdoor planting as we navigate early spring volatility. While you can finally start your garlic indoors or harden off seedlings, be cautious not to rush transplanting perennials like Dahlias or Zinnias into wet, cold ground that risks rotting roots before the real warmth arrives.
The next 7 days
Saskatoon, SKGrowing in Saskatoon right now
- The clay-heavy loess soil of southern Saskatchewan drains poorly during frequent spring thaws; avoid heavy watering and instead use raised beds for new vegetable starts to ensure drainage.
- Wind speeds in Saskatoon often exceed 30 km/h this time of year, so secure all newly planted annuals like Sunflowers and Cleome with stakes immediately against gales.
- Late April snow squalls are common even as temperatures rise; keep a cover or row fleece handy for sensitive crops like Parsnips and Rutabagas to protect them from sudden freezes.
- Monitor moisture levels closely as the region transitions from meltwater saturation to spring drought conditions later this month.
Sow this week
1 crops- Garlic
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
29 crops- Beefsteak Tomato
- Borage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Bush Bean
- Carrot
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Dahlia
- French Marigold
- Garden Geranium (Zonal)
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Lantana
- Leek
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Petunia
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Rutabaga
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Clear away spent vegetable plants now to prevent disease carryover into winter.
- Divide perennials like borage, garden verbena, and zinnia while the soil is still warm.
- Gather all fallen leaves and debris from around your garlic patch to keep it clean.
Pest & disease watch
- Slugs and snails are becoming active in damp, cool patches near gardens; apply iron phosphate baits or copper tape around young Brassicas like Brussels Sprouts.
- Cutworms often emerge in late April/early May to attack the stems of seedling tomatoes and beans; check soil lines nightly and use cardboard collars on vulnerable plants.
- Early fungal infections can take hold in wet, cool conditions; ensure good airflow between rows of Zucchini and Squash by pruning lower leaves if necessary.
Watering this week
Reduce watering significantly now that harvest is underway, allowing the soil to dry out between the last few waterings before frost.
Mark your tomato and pepper locations with stakes so you can easily find them when spring planting begins next year.
Saskatoon gardening questions
3Should I plant my Dahlias and Zinnias now even though it might frost again?
No, wait until the soil has warmed up consistently after May 15 to prevent root rot in these heat-loving plants. If you must get them started, pot them indoors or under heavy row covers rather than planting directly into cold Saskatoon ground.
I have some Beefsteak Tomato and Bush Bean seeds; is it too early to sow them outside?
Absolutely not for outdoor sowing; wait until late May or June when night temperatures stay above 50°F. You can, however, sow these indoors now in warm conditions (70-80°F) to get a head start before the long growing season begins.
What should I do about my garlic if it looks like it's starting to grow too early?
Garlic is listed as something you can sow now, but ensure your cloves are kept in a cool (35-40°F), dark location with good moisture rather than exposed soil. If planted outdoors immediately, cover lightly with mulch to regulate temperature until the ground thaws completely.
Other cities in zone 3b
4See the full zone 3b guide → · Plan your Saskatoon garden in SproutGuide →