What to plant this week in Corpus Christi, TX
With no frost expected until December 20, Corpus Christi gardeners are deep in the heart of the growing season, focused on harvesting heat-lovers like okra and cantaloupe while sowing warm-season staples such as sweet corn and bush beans. The week's priority is maximizing yield before the dry summer heat peaks by picking mature squash and melons frequently to encourage continued fruit set.
The next 7 days
Corpus Christi, TXGrowing in Corpus Christi right now
- Monitor soil moisture closely in our sandy Coastal Bend soils; frequent light watering is better than infrequent drenching during this hot spell, especially for newly sown beans and corn.
- Take advantage of the mild winter nights (min 30°F) by planting heat-tolerant crops like Malabar spinach and shiso now for a second early harvest later in summer.
- Apply mulch heavily around summer squash and zucchini to retain moisture and keep fruit from touching damp soil, which reduces rot in our humid microclimate.
- Check ornamental beds for new growth on Vinca and Garden Verbena; these tough natives thrive here but need consistent water during dry spells.
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
35 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- 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 ensure a continuous summer supply.
- Thin emerging seedlings now so they can develop strong root systems before heat sets in.
- Mulch around heat-sensitive plants like fennel and nasturtium to keep soil temperatures stable.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are becoming active on Fennel and Yellow Summer Squash as humidity drops and temperatures climb into the 90s.
- Watch for aphid colonies forming on the tender new stems of Shiso (Japanese Basil) and Thai Basil in shaded corners of the garden.
- Monitor Bottle Gourd vines for early signs of vine borers, a common issue with heavy-cropping gourds in our sandy soil.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to reduce evaporation while keeping foliage dry to prevent fungal issues.
Pinch off spent flowers from zinnias regularly to encourage a second wave of blooms later this season.
Corpus Christi gardening questions
3Can I still plant Sweet Corn now even if I want some for fall harvest?
Yes, you can sow Sweet Corn this week because the soil stays warm enough for rapid germination. However, expect your first crop to be ready by mid-summer rather than autumn; planting later in July would target that fall window.
My Okra and Cucumber plants are heavy producers but fruit is getting soft quickly; what's wrong?
This is typical for our Corpus Christi heat where fruits ripen faster than you can pick them. Harvest frequently, every one or two days, to signal the plant to produce more and prevent over-ripening before you reach it.
Should I fertilize my Zucchini and Summer Squash now that they are fruiting heavily?
Switch to a low-nitrogen fertilizer focused on phosphorus and potassium instead of standard vegetable food. High nitrogen encourages leafy growth at the expense of fruit, which can reduce your yield during this critical harvesting period.
Other cities in zone 10a
6See the full zone 10a guide → · Plan your Corpus Christi garden in SproutGuide →