What to plant this week in Tallahassee, FL
With average last frost dates hovering around February 6, Tallahassee gardeners are deep in the heat of the growing season where hard freezes are no longer a threat. This week marks the peak harvest window for your beans and squash while being the ideal time to sow warm-season staples like okra and Malabar spinach that thrive in our subtropical climate.
The next 7 days
Tallahassee, FLGrowing in Tallahassee right now
- Our sandy soils drain quickly, so add compost or peat moss around new transplants to retain moisture during our frequent dry spells.
- Tallahassee's intense afternoon sun can scorch young seedlings; provide temporary shade cloth for delicate crops like fennel and edamame until they harden off.
- Water deeply in the early morning to minimize evaporation losses common in our humid, hot summers.
- Monitor soil pH closely as our acidic native ground may limit nutrient uptake for beans if lime isn't applied seasonally.
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
- Watch for spider mites proliferating on heat-stressed okra and leafy greens during dry, windy periods.
- Mexican bean beetles are actively feeding on bush beans and cowpeas right now; hand-pick clusters of eggs before they hatch.
- Early blight can develop quickly on squash vines if overhead watering is used during our humid afternoons.
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.
Tallahassee gardening questions
3Can I still start cold-weather crops like garlic in Tallahassee this week?
No, it is too warm for new garlic planting; the last frost date of February 6 means soil temperatures are already ideal for summer annuals instead. Focus your energy on sowing heat-lovers like cantaloupe or zucchini now.
Why should I harvest my basil and beans immediately this week?
High humidity and heat accelerate growth in our zone 9a climate, causing rapid bolting or seed set if left too long. Pick your bush beans and basil daily to maintain leaf tenderness and flavor before the plants toughen up.
Is it safe to plant sweet corn now without worrying about frost damage?
Absolutely; since our average last frost is early February, you have weeks of stable warmth for sweet corn pollination. Ensure your pollen can travel freely by watering deeply in the morning to support healthy tassel development.
Other cities in zone 9a
9See the full zone 9a guide → · Plan your Tallahassee garden in SproutGuide →