What to plant this week in Houston, TX
With average lows holding steady around 25°F and frost history firmly in the past since late January, Houston gardeners this week are fully immersed in peak summer production rather than worrying about cold snaps. The real focus is managing rapid growth on warm-season giants like okra and squash while guarding against the city's signature afternoon thunderstorms that can wash away young seedlings overnight.
The next 7 days
Houston, TXGrowing in Houston right now
- Houston's heavy clay subsoil drains slowly in our intense downpours; use raised beds or mounds for beans and corn to prevent root rot when the ground turns slick mud.
- The city's heat island effect pushes maturity dates earlier than rural zones, so harvest your zucchini and yellow squash immediately to avoid them turning into unpalatable gourds under the relentless sun.
- Be mindful of 'frost pockets' near Galveston Bay or high-elevation areas in the Hill Country outskirts where temps might dip slightly lower than downtown averages despite being Zone 9b.
- Mulch heavily with straw or pine bark around edamame and bush beans to keep soil moisture consistent during our typical dry spells between storm systems.
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 are exploding on French marigolds and fennel as humidity dips slightly in the heat; mist them early morning or apply a strong jet of water from your hose.
- Cucumber beetles and squash bugs are actively hunting your summer squash and pumpkin vines this week, requiring daily inspection since they can defoliate plants before you notice.
- Whiteflies have taken hold on Thai basil and shiso; hand-picking them in the cool evening is often more effective than spraying during our humid conditions.
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.
Houston gardening questions
3Can I still sow any seeds now that we are deep into summer?
Yes, you can start basil, borage, and cowpeas from seed this week as they thrive in our hot weather, but avoid cold-sensitive items like tomatoes which have already passed their ideal window.
How often should I water my okra and malabar spinach during a dry spell?
In Houston's clay soil, check moisture once daily; these crops need consistent dampness to handle the heat without bolting or stunting their leafy growth.
Are there any harvests I'm missing this week if I haven't checked my garden yet?
Make sure to pull your watermelons and honeydew melons now, as they ripen quickly in our climate and can rot on the vine if left too long after turning yellow.
Other cities in zone 9b
10See the full zone 9b guide → · Plan your Houston garden in SproutGuide →