What to plant this week in Toronto, ON
With last frost now safely behind us for most of Toronto, you can finally move all transplants listed into your soil without fear. This week marks the start of peak harvest season for warm-season giants like zucchini and summer squash that have been waiting in your gardens.
The next 7 days
Toronto, ONGrowing in Toronto right now
- Toronto's clay-heavy subsoil requires thorough watering before planting to ensure root penetration for new vegetables.
- Take advantage of the city's micro-heating effect from urban heat islands to extend your growing window slightly past mid-October.
- Focus on succession planting for short-season crops like bush beans and French marigolds while long-term winter squash matures.
- Watch for rapid soil temperature drops in late October mornings, which can stunt growth if frost protection isn't ready.
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
- Spider mites are becoming active on basil and cosmos as humidity levels rise during Toronto's summer peaks.
- Cutworms may still be targeting young tomato and pepper seedlings despite the warm weather.
- Aphids often colonize the new growth of shiso and nasturtiums, requiring regular inspection.
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.
Toronto gardening questions
3Can I plant garlic now in Toronto?
Yes, it is a great time to sow garlic cloves for next year's harvest before the ground freezes solid. Ensure you press them firmly into well-drained soil to prevent rot during winter.
My zucchini and yellow summer squash are growing fast; when should I start harvesting?
You can begin picking these varieties once the fruits reach 6-8 inches in length while they are still vibrant green. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to produce even more fruit throughout August and September.
Are there any specific pests I should watch for on my watermelon and cantaloupe?
Keep an eye out for squash vine borers which can quickly destroy vines if left unchecked in Toronto gardens. Apply insecticidal soap early in the morning to manage aphid populations that may cluster on new leaves.
Other cities in zone 6b
12See the full zone 6b guide → · Plan your Toronto garden in SproutGuide →