What to plant this week in Lubbock, TX
With frost dates firmly in the past, Lubbock's gardeners are now focused on maximizing heat for a bountiful harvest before November 15. This week is critical for sowing warm-season staples like bush beans and yellow summer squash while monitoring your prolific crops of watermelon and cantaloupe for peak ripeness.
The next 7 days
Lubbock, TXGrowing in Lubbock right now
- Watch for wind erosion in the flat Panhandle terrain; consider using straw mulch to retain moisture and protect bare soil from blowing dust.
- Lubbock's alkaline, clay-heavy soil holds heat well but can be slow to dry; water deeply in early morning to minimize evaporation loss during peak afternoon sun.
- Delay planting transplants until after the last average frost of March 28 if you are rushing cool-season crops, as sudden temperature drops can stunt young growth.
- Take advantage of the current warmth to sow French Marigolds and nasturtiums, which thrive in our long growing season but may bolt if temperatures spike above 95°F.
Sow this week
4 crops- Bush Bean
- French Marigold
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
37 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
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Start succession sowing with Pole Beans or Peas every two weeks for a continuous supply of fresh pods.
- Pinch back the tops of Basil to encourage bushier growth before the heat sets in.
- Apply a light layer of compost around harvested crops to replenish soil nutrients.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites often explode on heat-stressed okra, cucumbers, and squash during dry Lubbock summers; spray with insecticidal soap early before damage spreads.
- Aphids frequently colonize the new growth of basil, shiso, and Thai Basil in our humid pockets near irrigation lines or creek beds.
- Monitor sweet corn and pole beans for corn earworm activity, which can devastate crops quickly when the weather turns hot.
Watering this week
Provide about 1 to 2 inches of water per week, ensuring deep watering during hot afternoons.
Harvest Basil in the morning when essential oils are most concentrated for peak flavor.
Lubbock gardening questions
3When should I stop watering my winter squash to extend shelf life?
Cut off all water about two weeks before your first frost date around November 15. This stops new growth and helps the skin harden, which is crucial for storing pumpkins and yellow summer squash through the winter.
Can I harvest basil after a light freeze if it doesn't kill the plant?
Avoid harvesting heavily frozen basil; instead, wait until morning to cut off any wilted stems that have turned brown or slimy. The remaining green leaves will likely survive and produce a new flush of growth once the temperature rises above 50°F.
Why are my watermelons cracking before they ripen in Lubbock?
Cracking usually happens when dry soil suddenly absorbs heavy rain, causing the plant to overhydrate rapidly. Check your irrigation schedule and ensure consistent moisture levels during the final fruit swelling stage to prevent this common issue.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Lubbock garden in SproutGuide →