What to plant this week in Jackson, MS
With average last frost now behind us on March 1, Jackson gardeners are in the thick of spring planting season for heat-loving crops. This week marks the perfect window to start seeds indoors or directly sow warm-season favorites like okra and pole beans into your rich clay soil.
The next 7 days
Jackson, MSGrowing in Jackson right now
- Jackson's notorious red clay retains moisture well but drains poorly; dig in plenty of organic matter around new plantings to prevent root rot during our wet springs.
- Our humid subtropical climate means plants need consistent water, but be careful not to overwater right after heavy rainstorms which are common this time of year.
- Start bush beans and cucumbers directly in the ground now; do not attempt to transplant seedlings as they hate having their roots disturbed by our sticky clay.
- Use the mild nights to sow Malabar Spinach and Thai Basil, which thrive before our intense July heat sets in.
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 for early slug activity on tender transplants like French Marigolds and Nasturtiums due to recent rainfall.
- Spider mites may begin appearing on summer squash as temperatures climb above 80°F this week.
- Monitor young pole beans for aphid colonies, which multiply quickly in Jackson's humidity.
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.
Jackson gardening questions
3When can I finally stop worrying about frost damage to my newly planted okra?
Since the average last frost date is March 1 and we are currently past that mark, your okra should be safe from freezing temperatures. However, a light frost cover doesn't hurt if a rare early chill is predicted.
My zucchini plants look healthy but aren't producing yet; is it too early?
It is actually very early for harvest; while you can sow seeds now, the first zucchini usually matures 50 to 60 days after planting. Keep feeding your plants with a balanced fertilizer to encourage rapid growth before the summer heat hits.
Should I plant my Malabar Spinach directly in the garden or start it inside first?
Malabar Spinach loves the warm soil of Jackson, so it is best sown directly into the ground rather than started indoors. If you do start seeds inside, harden them off carefully because this tropical relative gets very upset by cold air.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your Jackson garden in SproutGuide →