What to plant this week in Miami, FL
With Miami's subtropical heat holding steady at 80s and 90s, this week is all about aggressive sowing of warm-weather staples like sweet corn and okra that thrive in our frost-free climate. Gardeners should focus on protecting seedlings from the relentless midday sun and heavy afternoon thunderstorms typical of our coastal summers.
The next 7 days
Miami, FLGrowing in Miami right now
- Plant cowpeas and malabar spinach directly into rich, sandy soil now to take advantage of the consistent 80-degree nights before summer heat spikes.
- Mulch heavily around newly planted cucumbers and squash to conserve moisture during our dry spells between tropical rain events.
- Start shiso and thai basil indoors or in shade cloth immediately; direct sowing is risky if a cold front dips temperatures near 50 degrees overnight.
- Watch for wind damage on tall zinnias and sunflowers, which can snap easily during the frequent passing squall lines common here.
Sow this week
18 crops- Basil
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- 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
24 crops- Basil
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow beans or corn now to ensure a steady summer supply.
- Pinch back basil and Thai Basil regularly to encourage bushier growth before harvesting.
- Mulch around young vines like melons and squash to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- Deadhead flowers like Cosmos and Zinnia frequently to promote more blooms throughout the season.
Pest & disease watch
- Monitor for spider mites on French marigolds and garden verbena as humidity fluctuates with dry heat waves.
- Check okra and southern peas for aphid colonies that form quickly in our warm temperatures.
- Inspect zucchini and yellow summer squash leaves daily for squash vine borers, a major issue in Miami gardens this season.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants in the morning to keep foliage dry and reduce disease risk during this warm season.
Don't forget that Okra and Cowpeas love heat, so give them plenty of space for their vigorous vines to spread out.
Miami gardening questions
3Can I plant sweet corn or watermelon seeds directly into the ground now?
Yes, both are listed as sowable immediately in Miami's Zone 11a conditions without any need for frost protection. Just ensure you have a week of temperatures above 65 degrees before planting.
Is there any risk of frost damage to my vinca or zinnia plants right now?
You can begin harvesting basil leaves anytime the plant reaches six inches tall, while melons are ready when they show a slight give at the blossom end.
Should I be worried about cold snaps affecting my established transplants?
While average lows rarely drop below 50 degrees, a sudden freeze could still damage tender seedlings; cover sensitive areas with frost cloth if temperatures dip unexpectedly.
Other cities in zone 11a
2See the full zone 11a guide → · Plan your Miami garden in SproutGuide →