What to plant this week in San Francisco, CA
San Francisco gardeners are in the thick of summer heat, with no frost worries to delay your warm-weather crops like bush beans, zucchini, and sweet corn. This week marks a peak harvest window for basil, cucumbers, and melons that have been ripening under our unique microclimates.
The next 7 days
San Francisco, CAGrowing in San Francisco right now
- Protect coastal fog-dependent gardens from intense midday sun by using shade cloth to prevent leaf scorch on newly transplanted tomatoes or peppers.
- Adjust irrigation schedules upward in the Bay Area's dry summer stretch, especially if recent coastal advection has kept soils cooler than expected.
- Amend heavy clay soils common in the Peninsula with compost to improve drainage before planting warm-season crops like okra and melons.
- Take advantage of the mild nights by sowing frost-tender seeds directly into the ground now for basil, shiso, and nasturtium.
Sow this week
25 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- 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
34 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- 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 bush beans every two weeks to extend your harvest window through the summer heat.
- Mulch around newly planted squash and cucumbers to retain moisture and keep soil temperatures stable.
- Pinch back the tops of basil and okra plants regularly to encourage bushier growth and more flowers.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for aphid colonies forming on the undersides of cucumber leaves as humidity fluctuates between foggy mornings and dry afternoons.
- Monitor bean plants closely for Mexican bean beetles, which can quickly defoliate bush beans and pole varieties during this heat spike.
- Check ornamental zinnias and cosmos for spider mites, a common issue when summer winds create dry conditions on exposed slopes.
Watering this week
Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and prevent fungal issues on crowded crops.
Harvest basil in the morning when essential oils are at their peak for the most flavorful leaves.
San Francisco gardening questions
3Can I still start my fall garden now in San Francisco?
Not immediately; the ground is too hot and soil temperatures are ideal only for warm-summer crops like squash and corn this week. Wait until late August or early September to sow cool-season seeds like lettuce or peas.
Why are my basil plants producing fewer leaves even though I'm watering them?
The intense summer sun in our urban heat islands often stresses basil, causing it to bolt before reaching full size. Pinch off any flower stalks immediately and provide afternoon shade to encourage leafy growth for harvest.
Is there a risk of late frost damaging my winter squash plants planted now?
No risk at all; San Francisco's last frost date is non-existent, making it safe to plant winter squash varieties like butternut or acorn directly outdoors this week.
Other cities in zone 10b
4See the full zone 10b guide → · Plan your San Francisco garden in SproutGuide →