What to plant this week in Riverside, CA
In Riverside's mild 10a climate, gardeners this week are in the thick of summer harvest for beans, melons, and squash. With frost dates firmly behind us since mid-January, you can focus entirely on maximizing yield from your established crops rather than worrying about early freezes.
The next 7 days
Riverside, CAGrowing in Riverside right now
- Riverside's hot, dry summers demand consistent drip irrigation; check soil moisture daily as evaporation rates spike afternoon heat.
- Local sandy-loam soils drain quickly during the dry season, so apply a thin layer of compost or mulch to retain humidity around root zones.
- While frost is absent, watch for sudden microclimates in shaded washes where temperatures may drop slightly later than city centers at night.
Sow this week
27 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)
- Watermelon
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
35 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- 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 fast-growing bush beans every two weeks to ensure a steady harvest through the heat.
- Pinch back the tops of basil plants regularly to encourage bushier growth before they flower.
- Apply a light layer of compost around established squash and melons to conserve moisture in the dry air.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites thrive on heat and low humidity, often appearing first on the undersides of zucchini and bean leaves.
- Aphids frequently colonize new growth on edamame and sweet corn during this high-temperature period.
- Root maggots can be an issue in sandy soils for transplanted brassicas or late-planted carrots if not managed early.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to reduce evaporation and keep foliage dry throughout the day.
If your sweet corn is tasseling now, plant another row immediately for a second harvest later this summer.
Riverside gardening questions
3When should I harvest my cantaloupe and honeydew melons to avoid the peak afternoon heat?
Pick melons in the morning when sugars have had time to accumulate overnight. Look for full slip on the fruit stem; once ripe, they do not continue ripening off the vine.
My pole beans look dry despite regular watering—what is causing this stress in Riverside's heat?
Riverside's intense sun and wind often create a false sense of adequate moisture due to rapid evaporation. Ensure water penetrates deep into the sandy soil by watering slowly rather than applying frequent shallow douches.
Is it safe to plant any new vegetables now in Riverside, or are we past the last chance?
With no frost expected until after December 20, you can still sow warm-season crops like summer squash and okra now for a fall harvest. Avoid cool-season crops like peas which will bolt immediately under current temperatures.
Other cities in zone 10a
6See the full zone 10a guide → · Plan your Riverside garden in SproutGuide →