What to plant this week in Tacoma, WA
With frost dates finally behind us until December, Tacoma gardeners are in the thick of summer harvest season for a massive list of warm-weather crops like watermelon and okra. This week marks peak productivity as you pull mature beans, squash, and melons before the Pacific Northwest humidity sets in.
The next 7 days
Tacoma, WAGrowing in Tacoma right now
- Tacoma's notoriously heavy clay soil requires frequent deep watering to prevent compaction during our dry summer spells; add compost if planting new beds this week.
- Our mild winters mean Vinca and Madagascar Periwinkle can stay outside year-round as ground covers, unlike temperate zone gardens that must dig them up.
- The Puget Sound microclimate keeps nights cool enough for Malabar Spinach to thrive even when daytime highs hit 90°F, so don't rush it into heat stress.
- Local rain patterns are shifting this week; ensure drainage around Zinnias and Sunflowers to prevent root rot from unexpected spring showers lingering in low-lying areas.
Sow this week
17 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Summer Savory
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
36 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
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest through summer.
- Thin out dense seedlings of zucchini and yellow summer squash to prevent overcrowding.
- Apply a light layer of mulch around established crops to retain soil moisture as summer heat builds.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are exploding on Bush Beans and Pole Beans due to the recent dry, warm wind off the Sound.
- Aphids are clustering heavily on the new growth of French Marigolds and Nasturtiums as temperatures stabilize.
- Slugs remain a major threat for young Zucchini seedlings in our damp, shady pockets near the riverfront.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants in the morning to keep foliage dry and reduce disease risk during hot days.
Harvest watermelons when they produce a hollow sound upon tapping, indicating full ripeness.
Tacoma gardening questions
3When should I stop harvesting my Winter Squash this week?
You can continue picking mature Winter Squash now, but mark any that have fully hardened shells and set them aside to cure indoors for a few weeks. Once cured, store them in a cool, dry basement or garage where they will last through the winter.
Can I plant Okra directly into my raised beds right now?
Yes, absolutely; Tacoma's soil is warm enough that you can sow Okra seeds outdoors immediately without waiting for transplanting. Keep them watered consistently as seedlings to ensure strong establishment before our typical July heat wave.
My Garlic was planted last week and looks sick—what's happening?
Recent heavy rains in the Tacoma basin often cause garlic bulbs to rot if they sit too deep or lack drainage; check that your beds aren't waterlogged. If you see soft, mushy cloves, remove them immediately to prevent fungal spread to healthy neighbors.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your Tacoma garden in SproutGuide →