What to plant this week in San Antonio, TX
San Antonio gardeners in Zone 9a are navigating the transition from late winter chill to early spring warmth, with temperatures hovering near the 20°F minimum threshold. This week marks a critical window for sowing warm-season staples like sweet corn and okra while harvesting mature crops before the intense summer heat arrives.
The next 7 days
San Antonio, TXGrowing in San Antonio right now
- The city's heavy clay soil retains moisture well but requires deep tillage to prevent compaction for new squash and bean plantings this season.
- While frost dates average Feb 6, keep microclimate protection ready for low-lying areas along the San Antonio River where cold air settles later than surrounding hills.
- Take advantage of the current dry spell to sow bush beans and cucumbers directly into moist soil without needing extra watering immediately after planting.
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
- Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the summer.
- Mulch newly planted crops with organic matter to retain soil moisture and keep roots cool during hot spells.
- Pinch back the tips of basil and oregano regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent early flowering.
Pest & disease watch
- Monitor for early spring aphids colonizing tender fennel and cosmos seedlings as temperatures rise above 50°F.
- Watch for cutworms damaging young zucchini and sunflower stems, which are common in San Antonio's sheltered garden beds this time of year.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to encourage deep root growth while minimizing evaporation losses.
Harvested okra pods should be picked daily when young to prevent them from becoming tough and fibrous quickly.
San Antonio gardening questions
3When can I finally plant my sweet corn in San Antonio?
You can sow sweet corn directly outdoors now since the danger of frost has passed for this week; ensure you have at least six hours of sunlight per day.
Should I cover my okra and basil with row covers right now?
Row covers are optional but helpful if a sudden dip toward the 20°F minimum is forecast, though most hardy varieties like okra can tolerate brief chills without protection.
How do I handle harvesting garlic that appears in the 'harvest soon' list yet isn't explicitly sown this week?
Since garlic was likely planted last fall and is listed for harvest now, check bulbs for full size rather than planting new cloves, as the current date falls outside optimal sowing windows.
Other cities in zone 9a
9See the full zone 9a guide → · Plan your San Antonio garden in SproutGuide →