What to plant this week in Bakersfield, CA
With temperatures hovering around 75°F to 85°F this week, Bakersfield gardeners are well into the peak of summer heat where outdoor sowing continues for warm-weather crops. This is a critical window to start beans and squash before the midday sun becomes too intense, while existing harvests like watermelon and okra need consistent irrigation.
The next 7 days
Bakersfield, CAGrowing in Bakersfield right now
- Bakersfield's deep alluvial soil dries out rapidly between monsoon pulses; apply 2-3 inches of mulch immediately around new sowings to retain moisture and keep roots cool.
- The city's valley basin traps heat, creating intense afternoon sun that can scorch young transplants or cause blossom drop on tomatoes if overhead watering leaves foliage wet during the day.
- Native gravel pockets in backyards often have poor water retention; amend planting holes with compost rather than spreading it thinly over the surface to avoid runoff.
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
- Sow heat-loving seeds directly into warm soil after the last frost date passes.
- Thin out dense seedlings like beans and corn to ensure proper air circulation.
- Apply a light layer of mulch around established plants to retain moisture as temperatures rise.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites thrive in this week's dry, hot conditions and can quickly infest the undersides of zucchini and bean leaves if humidity drops below 30%.
- Aphids frequently colonize new growth on sweet corn and melons during heatwaves; inspect plants daily and spray with strong water or insecticidal soap.
Watering this week
Provide deep, consistent watering at the soil line to encourage strong root development in these heat-loving annuals.
Succession sow bush beans every two weeks throughout this spring window to ensure a continuous harvest all summer long.
Bakersfield gardening questions
3Can I still start my fall crops now, or is it too late in Bakersfield?
It is generally too early for cool-season transplants like lettuce or peas because the summer heat will stunt their growth before winter arrives. Wait until mid-November when daytime highs drop below 75°F to sow those varieties with success.
My okra and beans are bolting (going to seed) prematurely; should I water less?
Watering less will only accelerate the heat stress; instead, provide deep watering in the early morning to encourage root growth over leaf expansion.
How do I protect my young seedlings from the intense afternoon sun typical of our valley?
Install 30% shade cloth over rows of beans or squash until they are established enough to tolerate full exposure.
Other cities in zone 9b
10See the full zone 9b guide → · Plan your Bakersfield garden in SproutGuide →