What to plant this week in Fort Worth, TX
With last frost officially behind us on March 1st, Fort Worth gardeners are ready to push heat-loving crops like Okra and Malabar Spinach into the ground this week. The intense Texas sun is already driving temperatures up, making it critical to get your Yellow Summer Squash and Zinnias established before the mid-June lull.
The next 7 days
Fort Worth, TXGrowing in Fort Worth right now
- Soil here is often heavy clay or sandy loam; mix in compost immediately around transplants like French Marigolds to prevent root stunting during rapid spring growth.
- Water deeply early in the morning to combat our erratic afternoon thunderstorms that can wash away topsoil or cause sudden heat stress on young beans and cucumbers.
- Be prepared for the 'June Gloom' dry spell; keep a reservoir of mulch around your Pole Beans and Watermelons to retain moisture as we head toward peak summer.
Sow this week
17 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Summer Savory
- 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 for a continuous harvest through summer.
- Thin out dense seedlings of zucchini and yellow summer squash to prevent overcrowding.
- Apply a light layer of mulch around established crops to retain soil moisture as summer heat builds.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch closely for spider mites on Zinnias and Marigolds as humidity drops in early spring, causing stippling damage before the main heat wave.
- Cutworms are actively attacking seedling stems of Bush Beans and Squash; check collar areas nightly when lights are still out.
- Bacterial leaf spot can spread quickly through crowded Okra beds; ensure proper spacing for airflow to prevent blight during humid nights.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants in the morning to keep foliage dry and reduce disease risk during hot days.
Harvest watermelons when they produce a hollow sound upon tapping, indicating full ripeness.
Fort Worth gardening questions
3Can I plant my Basil now in Fort Worth, or should I wait?
Yes, sow or transplant Basil immediately since the last frost date of March 1 has passed and soil is warm enough. However, keep them shaded from intense afternoon sun until they establish their first set of true leaves.
My Cantaloupe vines are growing fast but producing small fruits; what am I missing?
Fort Worth heat often triggers early flowering without pollination if bees haven't emerged yet or humidity is too low. Hand-pollinate the blooms gently with a brush and ensure you aren't over-fertilizing, which forces vine growth over fruit development.
When should I stop harvesting my Winter Squash for storage?
Harvest your stored Winter Squash varieties now while they are fully mature but before the first hard freeze in December kills them. Cut stems flush with the vine and let them cure in a warm, dry spot for two weeks to toughen their skins.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your Fort Worth garden in SproutGuide →