What to plant this week in Las Vegas, NV
With the last frost date firmly in the past, Las Vegas gardeners are well into their prime growing season where heat is a friend rather than an enemy. This week marks critical thinning and harvesting windows for your warm-season favorites like sweet corn, okra, and squash before the afternoon temperatures climb even higher.
The next 7 days
Las Vegas, NVGrowing in Las Vegas right now
- Protect young transplants from the intense afternoon sun by using 30% shade cloth during the hottest part of the day to prevent scorching on tender leaves.
- Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around the base of water-intensive crops like cucumbers and melons to retain moisture in our fast-draining valley soils.
- Water deeply and infrequently early in the morning, as Las Vegas' erratic rainfall pattern means you are entirely responsible for consistent soil hydration.
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
- Aphids often explode on new growth of basil, nasturtiums, and zinnias when humidity spikes slightly from evening irrigation; inspect leaves daily.
- Spider mites can become a major issue in the dry desert air if plants are stressed by heat or lack of water, focusing heavily on fennel and verbena.
- Cutworms frequently attack young squash and bean seedlings at night, so check soil lines near plants that were transplanted recently.
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.
Las Vegas gardening questions
3Can I still sow any vegetables this week in Las Vegas?
Yes, you can successfully start bush beans, pole beans, and sweet corn from seed now if your soil has warmed sufficiently. However, avoid sowing delicate crops like lettuce or peas as the ground is too hot for them to germinate.
What specific care does my okra need right now?
Your okra crop needs consistent moisture to prevent blossom drop and ensure pods set properly, especially since it thrives in our heat but hates drought stress. Keep a light layer of mulch around the base to keep roots cool while encouraging heavy watering in the morning.
When should I start harvesting my cantaloupe and honeydew?
You can begin checking for ripeness soon, as the fruit will slip easily from the vine when fully mature and emit a strong sweet fragrance. Allow them to cure on the ground under cover or indoors after cutting if you need extra sweetness before storage.
Other cities in zone 9b
10See the full zone 9b guide → · Plan your Las Vegas garden in SproutGuide →