What to plant this week in Windsor, ON
Windsor gardeners are in the final stretch of spring cleanup and the early push for summer heat-lovers, with last frost officially behind us on April 3. This week is prime time to plant your warm-season favorites like cucumbers, tomatoes, and beans that have been waiting in cold frames or indoors.
The next 7 days
Windsor, ONGrowing in Windsor right now
- Windsor's unique river valley location creates microclimates where the Maumee Bay can trap chilly winds; use row covers on exposed western banks despite Zone 7a hardiness.
- Soil here is often heavy clay with high organic matter from local forests; add generous compost before transplanting to improve drainage for sensitive melons and squash.
- Rainfall tends to be heavier in the spring due to lake-effect moisture, so ensure raised beds or sloped planting sites have excellent runoff to prevent root rot.
- Take advantage of Windsor's mild transition into May by hardening off seedlings gradually before the typical late April frost risk window closes.
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 for aphid colonies forming on new basil and bean leaves as temperatures stabilize above 50°F.
- Slugs thrive in the humid, river-influenced air; inspect young zucchini and lettuce plants weekly for grazing damage.
- Late spring powdery mildew can hit cucumbers quickly if humidity is high; space plants widely to improve airflow.
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.
Windsor gardening questions
3Can I plant my winter squash now even though the soil feels cold?
Yes, provided you wait until after April 3 and use a black plastic mulch or row cover to warm the earth. Winter Squash needs consistent warmth to establish roots before summer rains slow growth.
What is the best way to handle my sweet corn in Windsor's variable late spring?
Sweet Corn loves Windsor's long, sunny days but hates a surprise frost; plant it after April 3 once the soil has warmed to at least 60°F. Use a cloche or cold frame if planting early, then remove it once seedlings are taller than 6 inches.
Are there any specific diseases I should worry about for my okra and beans right now?
Anthracnose is a common fungal issue in Windsor's humid river valley climate that affects bean pods and okra leaves. Prevent this by watering at the base of the plant rather than overhead to keep foliage dry.
Other cities in zone 7a
12See the full zone 7a guide → · Plan your Windsor garden in SproutGuide →