What to plant this week in Corpus Christi, TX
In Corpus Christi, mid-January marks the beginning of our long, mild growing season with an average last frost date around January 15. Gardeners can immediately jump into sowing heat-loving staples like okra, sweet corn, and bush beans since winter's chill has largely passed here.
The next 7 days
Corpus Christi, TXGrowing in Corpus Christi right now
- The coastal Gulf breezes are strong now; use lightweight stakes to secure young cucumber and pole bean plants before the winds pick up.
- Corpus soils often become compacted from heavy January rains; break up clods and add organic matter to improve drainage for your newly sown melons.
- While most vegetable transplants wait for spring, you can still start tender herbs like basil directly in the garden if temperatures stay above 60°F at night.
Sow this week
27 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)
- Watermelon
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
35 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- 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 fast-growing bush beans every two weeks to ensure a steady harvest through the heat.
- Pinch back the tops of basil plants regularly to encourage bushier growth before they flower.
- Apply a light layer of compost around established squash and melons to conserve moisture in the dry air.
Pest & disease watch
- Aphids are actively colonizing the new growth on your recently sowed zinnias and cosmos; inspect stems daily and spray with water or insecticidal soap.
- Flea beetles may nibble holes in young bush bean leaves despite our warm soil; apply a row cover immediately after seeding to prevent damage.
- Powdery mildew can appear early on squash plants if humidity is high followed by cool nights; ensure good airflow between rows of zucchini and yellow summer squash.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to reduce evaporation and keep foliage dry throughout the day.
If your sweet corn is tasseling now, plant another row immediately for a second harvest later this summer.
Corpus Christi gardening questions
3When should I stop using cold frames for my winter crops?
You can remove cold frames entirely now that the average last frost date (Jan 15) has passed, but keep them on during sudden temperature dips below 40°F to protect sensitive transplants.
Is it safe to plant watermelon and cantaloupe seeds right now?
Yes, these are ideal for sowing immediately in our zone 10a soil as long as the ground is not soggy from recent rain; they thrive in the sustained warmth we experience this time of year.
Do I need to fertilize my new okra plants?
Okra does best with phosphorus-rich fertilizer at planting but generally requires little nitrogen once established, so avoid heavy feeding which can delay fruiting.
Other cities in zone 10a
6See the full zone 10a guide → · Plan your Corpus Christi garden in SproutGuide →