What to plant this week in Zone 7b
With average last frost on Mar 28 and minimum temps at 5°F, it is a prime week to start Bush Beans, French Marigolds, Yellow Summer Squash, and Zucchini. Many summer favorites like Okra, Sweet Corn, and Watermelon are ready for immediate harvest.
The next 7 days
Sample: New York, NYToday
9/6
74°
63°
Mon
9/7
79°
57°
Tue
9/8
86°
59°
Wed
9/9
87°
72°
Thu
9/10
82°
72°
💧34%
Fri
9/11
78°
64°
💧19%
Sat
9/12
80°
64°
Avg high 81°F
Rain total 0.2"
Humidity 58%
Wind 7.6 mph
In the ground
Sow this week
4 crops- Bush Bean
- French Marigold
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zucchini
Move out
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Coming ripe
Harvest soon
37 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
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Do this now
Seasonal tips
- Start succession sowing with Pole Beans or Peas every two weeks for a continuous supply of fresh pods.
- Pinch back the tops of Basil to encourage bushier growth before the heat sets in.
- Apply a light layer of compost around harvested crops to replenish soil nutrients.
Keep watch
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for aphids clustering on tender new growth of Sunflowers and Zinnia.
- Inspect Okra leaves carefully for early signs of leafhopper damage.
- Check the undersides of Bean leaves for spider mites as temperatures rise.
Water
Watering this week
Provide about 1 to 2 inches of water per week, ensuring deep watering during hot afternoons.
One more thing
Harvest Basil in the morning when essential oils are most concentrated for peak flavor.
All year
Zone 7b planting calendar
154 cropsAverage planting and harvest windows for everything that grows in zone 7b — dates shift a week or two with the season, so treat them as a starting point and check the weekly guide above for what's open right now.
- Start indoors
- Sow outdoors
- Transplant
- Harvest
Vegetables 70
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim (New Mexico) Pepper | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jun 25 – Jul 14 | 78d | |
| Artichoke | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | 165d | |
| Arugula | — | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | — | Mar 30 – May 21 | 35d | |
| Asparagus | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Banana Pepper | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jun 15 – Jul 14 | 73d | |
| Beefsteak Tomato | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 23 – Jul 22 | 88d | |
| Beet | — | Feb 28 – Apr 25 | — | Apr 19 – Jul 4 | 60d | |
| Bell Pepper | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jun 10 – Jul 24 | 75d | |
| Bok Choy | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | — | Apr 23 – May 31 | 45d | |
| Broccoli | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 8 – Jun 6 | 63d | |
| Brussels Sprouts | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Jun 26 – Jul 30 | 100d | |
| Bush Bean | — | Apr 4 – Sep 2 | — | May 24 – Nov 1 | 55d | |
| Cabbage | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 23 – Jun 26 | 80d | |
| Carrot | — | Mar 7 – Apr 25 | — | May 6 – Jul 14 | 70d | |
| Cauliflower | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 22 – Jun 25 | 65d | |
| Cayenne Pepper | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jun 20 – Jul 14 | 75d | |
| Celery | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Jul 6 – Aug 19 | 115d | |
| Cherry Tomato | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 29 – Jun 27 | 63d | |
| Collard Greens | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 8 – Jun 25 | 65d | |
| Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea) | — | Apr 11 – Aug 3 | — | Jun 10 – Nov 1 | 75d | |
| Cucumber | — | Apr 11 – Aug 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | May 31 – Nov 1 | 58d | |
| Edamame | — | Apr 11 – Aug 3 | — | Jun 25 – Nov 1 | 83d | |
| Eggplant | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jun 15 – Jul 19 | 75d | |
| Fava (Broad) Bean | — | Feb 14 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 25 – Jun 22 | 85d | |
| Flour Corn | — | Apr 4 – Jul 4 | — | Jul 3 – Nov 1 | 105d | |
| Garden Pea | — | Feb 14 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 10 – May 23 | 63d | |
| Garlic | — | Oct 18 – Nov 29 | — | Jun 15 – Dec 6 | 255d | |
| Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jul 20 – Aug 23 | 110d | |
| Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle) | — | Apr 11 – Jul 4 | — | Jul 20 – Nov 1 | 110d | |
| Habanero Pepper | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jul 10 – Aug 3 | 95d | |
| Jalapeño | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jun 15 – Jul 19 | 75d | |
| Kale | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 3 – Jun 15 | 58d | |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 9 – May 22 | 48d | |
| Leek | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Jul 6 – Aug 9 | 110d | |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 14 – Jun 10 | 53d | |
| Lima Bean | — | Apr 11 – Aug 3 | — | Jun 15 – Nov 1 | 78d | |
| Loofah (Luffa) | — | Apr 11 – Jun 4 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jul 10 – Nov 1 | 120d | |
| Malabar Spinach | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Aug 23 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jun 10 – Nov 1 | 65d | |
| Marconi Pepper | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jun 25 – Jul 19 | 80d | |
| Mustard Greens | — | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | — | Apr 4 – May 26 | 40d | |
| Napa Cabbage | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 3 – Jun 16 | 65d | |
| Okra | — | Apr 18 – Aug 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jun 12 – Nov 1 | 60d | |
| Onion | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 29 – Jul 2 | 100d | |
| Parsnip | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | — | Jun 22 – Aug 9 | 110d | |
| Poblano Pepper | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jun 15 – Jul 14 | 73d | |
| Pole Bean | — | Apr 4 – Aug 23 | — | Jun 3 – Nov 1 | 65d | |
| Potato | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | — | May 23 – Aug 9 | 95d | |
| Pumpkin | — | Apr 11 – Jul 4 | — | Jul 15 – Nov 1 | 108d | |
| Radish | — | Feb 28 – Apr 25 | — | Mar 22 – May 25 | 26d | |
| Rhubarb | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Roma Tomato | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 13 – Jul 7 | 75d | |
| Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus) | — | Apr 18 – Jun 4 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jul 27 – Nov 1 | 125d | |
| Rutabaga | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | — | Jun 12 – Jul 20 | 95d | |
| Scallion (Bunching Onion) | — | Feb 28 – Apr 25 | — | Apr 29 – Jul 4 | 65d | |
| Scarlet Runner Bean | — | Apr 4 – Aug 23 | — | Jun 3 – Nov 1 | 65d | |
| Serrano Pepper | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jun 25 – Jul 14 | 78d | |
| Shallot | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 29 – Jun 22 | 95d | |
| Shishito Pepper | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jun 5 – Jun 29 | 60d | |
| Snow Pea | — | Feb 14 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 15 – May 23 | 65d | |
| Spinach | — | Feb 14 – Mar 28 | — | Mar 21 – May 12 | 40d | |
| Sugar Snap Pea | — | Feb 14 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 10 – May 18 | 60d | |
| Sweet Corn | — | Apr 4 – Aug 3 | — | Jun 8 – Nov 1 | 78d | |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 10 – Sep 6 | 105d | |
| Swiss Chard | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | — | May 3 – Jun 24 | 55d | |
| Tomatillo | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 18 – Jul 27 | 88d | |
| Tomato | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 3 – Jul 12 | 73d | |
| Turnip | — | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | — | Apr 9 – Jun 10 | 50d | |
| Winter Squash | — | Apr 11 – Jul 14 | — | Jul 10 – Nov 1 | 100d | |
| Yellow Summer Squash | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Sep 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | May 26 – Nov 1 | 50d | |
| Zucchini | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Sep 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | May 26 – Nov 1 | 50d |
Herbs 21
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anise Hyssop | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Basil | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 11 – Aug 23 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | May 31 – Nov 1 | 60d | |
| Chervil | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | — | Apr 28 – Jun 10 | 53d | |
| Chives | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | — | 75d | |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | — | Apr 23 – Jun 5 | 48d | |
| Dill | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | — | Apr 23 – Jun 19 | 48d | |
| Fennel | — | Mar 28 – Aug 3 | — | Jun 1 – Nov 1 | 78d | |
| French Tarragon | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 85d | |
| German Chamomile | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | — | May 13 – Jun 15 | 63d | |
| Ginger | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | — | 270d | |
| Lemon Balm | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 80d | |
| Lemongrass | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 105d | |
| Mint | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 75d | |
| Oregano | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 85d | |
| Parsley | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | May 23 – Jul 10 | 80d | |
| Rosemary | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 273d | |
| Sage | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 83d | |
| Shiso (Japanese Basil) | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Aug 8 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 13 – Nov 1 | 78d | |
| Summer Savory | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 11 – Aug 23 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jun 10 – Nov 1 | 65d | |
| Thai Basil | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 11 – Aug 18 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jun 10 – Nov 1 | 68d | |
| Thyme | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 135d |
Fruits 26
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almond | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | — | 3.5 yr | |
| Apple | — | — | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | — | 3.5 yr | |
| Apricot | — | — | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | — | 3.5 yr | |
| Black Walnut | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | — | 4.5 yr | |
| Blackberry | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | — | 1.2 yr | |
| Blueberry | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Aug 3 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jun 20 – Nov 1 | 80d | |
| Elderberry | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| English (Persian) Walnut | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | — | 4.5 yr | |
| Fig | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Gooseberry | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Grape | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Ground Cherry | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 8 – Jul 2 | 70d | |
| Honeyberry (Haskap) | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Honeydew Melon | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Jul 24 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jun 30 – Nov 1 | 90d | |
| Peach | — | — | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Pear | — | — | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | — | 3.5 yr | |
| Pecan | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | — | 4.5 yr | |
| Plum | — | — | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | — | 3.5 yr | |
| Pomegranate | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 3.5 yr | |
| Raspberry | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | — | 1.2 yr | |
| Red/Black Currant | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Strawberry | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | — | 243d | |
| Sweet Cherry | — | — | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | — | 3.5 yr | |
| Tart (Pie) Cherry | — | — | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | — | 3.5 yr | |
| Watermelon | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Jul 29 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jun 25 – Nov 1 | 85d |
Flowers 37
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Button (Cornflower) | — | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | — | May 4 – Jun 20 | 68d | |
| Bee Balm | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Black-Eyed Susan | — | Mar 28 – Jul 4 | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 110d | |
| Borage | — | Mar 28 – Aug 23 | — | May 22 – Nov 1 | 63d | |
| Butterfly Milkweed | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Calendula | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | — | Apr 28 – Jun 10 | 53d | |
| Cleome (Spider Flower) | — | Apr 4 – Aug 18 | — | May 29 – Nov 1 | 65d | |
| Cosmos | — | Apr 4 – Aug 3 | — | Jun 3 – Nov 1 | 75d | |
| Dahlia | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jul 3 – Aug 16 | 105d | |
| Delphinium | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| French Marigold | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Sep 2 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 19 – Nov 1 | 53d | |
| Garden Geranium (Zonal) | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 13 – Jul 17 | 80d | |
| Garden Phlox | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Garden Rose (Shrub) | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Garden Verbena | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 4 – Aug 3 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 13 – Nov 1 | 80d | |
| Hardy Hibiscus | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Hearts & Flowers (Heartleaf Iceplant) | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — | 75d | |
| Hollyhock | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Lantana | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 13 – Jul 17 | 80d | |
| Lavender | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian) | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jul 20 – Aug 23 | 110d | |
| Nasturtium | — | Apr 4 – Aug 28 | — | May 24 – Nov 1 | 58d | |
| New England Aster | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Oriental Poppy | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jun 10 – Aug 7 | 75d | |
| Panicle Hydrangea | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Pansy | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 9 – Jun 12 | 80d | |
| Petunia | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 13 – Jul 17 | 80d | |
| Purple Coneflower | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Salvia | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | 110d | |
| Sedum ('Autumn Joy'-type) | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Snapdragon | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Jun 2 – Jul 6 | 90d | |
| Sunflower | — | Apr 4 – Jul 24 | — | Jun 13 – Nov 1 | 85d | |
| Sweet Alyssum | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 3 – Jun 10 | 55d | |
| Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Aug 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 3 – Nov 1 | 68d | |
| Yarrow | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | — | 135d | |
| Zinnia | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Aug 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 3 – Nov 1 | 68d |
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