What to plant this week in Victoria, BC
Victoria's mild February warmth has officially kicked off the growing season, with average last frost dates now behind us and soil temperatures rising fast enough to sow most warm-season crops immediately. Gardeners across the city are moving straight into action, utilizing this unique window where tender annuals like basil and cantaloupe thrive without a traditional spring chill.
The next 7 days
Victoria, BCGrowing in Victoria right now
- Victoria's heavy clay-loam soils retain moisture well but drain poorly during our frequent winter rains; amend planting beds with compost now to improve aeration before sowing beans or corn.
- With no transplanting needed this week, focus entirely on direct sowing warm-season crops like okra and watermelon into the warming ground, as seedlings struggle in our often damp soil.
- Be mindful of the city's microclimates; coastal areas may experience lingering chill pockets while Inner Harbor zones offer earlier warmth for early-maturing varieties like bush beans.
Sow this week
26 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sweet Corn
- 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 to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the summer.
- Mulch newly planted crops with organic matter to retain soil moisture and keep roots cool during hot spells.
- Pinch back the tips of basil and oregano regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent early flowering.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for early slug activity on tender sowings like nasturtium and malabar spinach, as the damp winter weather creates ideal conditions for these mollusks.
- Monitor squash plants (zucchini and yellow summer squash) for sudden aphid infestations which can appear quickly once temperatures consistently hover above 50°F.
- Check fennel and cosmos seedlings for spider mites, a common issue when our dry indoor-starting practices transition to the humid outdoor air.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to encourage deep root growth while minimizing evaporation losses.
Harvested okra pods should be picked daily when young to prevent them from becoming tough and fibrous quickly.
Victoria gardening questions
3Can I still plant garlic in Victoria this week?
Yes, you can still sow garlic bulbs as they are listed for harvest soon, indicating they are currently active in the garden cycle. However, note that most garllic is already planted earlier and now requires little to no intervention other than monitoring.
Which crops should I prioritize planting this week given the current conditions?
These crops thrive in Victoria's immediate spring warmth and will establish quickly without needing hardening off.
Do I need to worry about frost damage for my new sowings right now?
However, always check local forecasts as Victoria can experience unexpected cold snaps late in winter.
Other cities in zone 9a
9See the full zone 9a guide → · Plan your Victoria garden in SproutGuide →