What to plant this week in Austin, TX
With the last frost officially behind us on Feb 6, Austin gardeners are ready to unleash their heat-loving crops as temperatures climb toward the mid-20s. This week marks the perfect start for direct sowing warm-season staples like okra, summer squash, and bush beans that thrive in our long growing season.
The next 7 days
Austin, TXGrowing in Austin right now
- Our highly alkaline clay-loam soil drains poorly during heavy rains; amend new beds with generous organic matter to prevent root rot on sensitive starts.
- Austin's intense afternoon sun can scorch young zinnias and basil quickly; provide temporary shade cloth until plants are hardened off by late February.
- The local heat often triggers rapid bolting in fennel and spinach varieties, so harvest these immediately rather than waiting for full maturity.
Sow this week
18 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- 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 every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout the summer heat.
- Mulch around newly transplanted squash and pumpkins to retain moisture and suppress weeds as temperatures rise.
- Pinch back the tops of basil plants regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for early-season aphid colonies forming on the undersides of newly transplanted French marigolds and nasturtiums.
- Spider mites may appear on Malabar spinach as humidity drops during our dry winter weeks.
- Monitor cucumber vines closely for squash vine borers, which are increasingly active in our urban heat islands.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to help plants withstand afternoon heat while minimizing evaporation losses.
Harvest watermelon and cantaloupe regularly to signal the plant to continue producing fruit rather than stopping growth.
Austin gardening questions
3When is the safe time to plant my watermelon seeds directly in Austin?
Since our last average frost date was Feb 6 and soil temperatures have warmed significantly, you can sow watermelon seeds outdoors this week without fear of cold damage. However, ensure your planting spots are not sitting in puddles during our occasional spring downpours.
Can I still harvest garlic even though it looks like spring?
Yes, many local growers pull their garlic crop now before the intense summer heat sets in and causes cloves to split or rot. Look for dry necks as your primary indicator that the bulbs are ready to bring inside.
Why is my Malabar spinach turning yellow so fast?
This native-like plant is notorious for bolting rapidly when Austin temperatures dip below 65°F at night, which happens frequently in our climate. Harvest young leaves immediately and expect a shorter production window compared to other leafy greens.
Other cities in zone 9a
9See the full zone 9a guide → · Plan your Austin garden in SproutGuide →