What to plant this week in Sacramento, CA
Sacramento's current heatwave means your summer crops are sprinting toward harvest, with watermelons and zucchini ready to pull from the soil by week's end. With frost dates firmly in January, you can aggressively sow warm-season seeds like Malabar spinach and sweet corn while managing the intense afternoon sun that defines our valley climate.
The next 7 days
Sacramento, CAGrowing in Sacramento right now
- The Sacramento Valley's heavy clay loam retains moisture well but cracks dry; water deeply early morning to prevent runoff during this week's forecasted rainstorms. Avoid overhead watering on hot afternoons to reduce fungal pressure on your basil and nasturtium beds. Mulch heavily around young beans and corn to keep soil cool despite the 95°F+ highs common in late spring.
- While our lowland zones usually see reliable spring rains, check local forecasts for any sudden deluges that could splash soil onto leaves of your cucumber and squash plants, increasing powdery mildew risk. If heavy rain is predicted, delay sowing delicate seeds like French marigolds until the ground drains faster.
- Be aware that our distinct microclimates mean riverfront gardens may stay cooler than inland neighborhoods; adjust planting times for frost-tender items if you are on the western edge of the metro area where temps dip closer to 50°F at night.
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
- Watch for aphid colonies forming on the tender new growth of your shiso and Thai basil due to the combination of heat and recent moisture. Spray with neem oil in the early morning if populations exceed five per leaf.
- Slugs are becoming active again after last week's rainfall, targeting low-growing nasturtiums and young bean seedlings near irrigation lines. Use copper tape or diatomaceous earth barriers around transplant beds this weekend.
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.
Sacramento gardening questions
3Is it safe to plant okra and sweet corn now in Sacramento?
Yes, the ground is warm enough for both, but ensure you get seeds into the soil before tonight's potential rain event. Okra thrives in our heat once established, while corn needs consistent moisture during germination.
My watermelon vines are growing fast; when should I start harvesting?
Begin checking for harvest maturity within 7 to 10 days if the fruit develops a creamy yellow slip at the stem end. In Sacramento's current heat, maturation happens quickly, so don't wait until they turn fully black on the skin.
Should I be concerned about frost damage to my garlic crop right now?
No immediate concern; with an average last frost date of January 30th, your hardy garlic is well past its danger zone. Focus instead on thinning if shoots are overcrowding to ensure proper bulb size.
Other cities in zone 9b
10See the full zone 9b guide → · Plan your Sacramento garden in SproutGuide →