What to plant this week in Dallas, TX
With the last frost date of March 1 firmly behind us, Dallas gardeners are in full summer swing where heat is a friend rather than an enemy. This week marks peak harvest time for your warm-weather crops like okra and bush beans as they thrive under the region's intense Texas sun.
The next 7 days
Dallas, TXGrowing in Dallas right now
- The City of Dallas experiences frequent 'June Gloom' thunderstorms that can splash soil onto leaves, so water early in the morning to prevent fungal issues on Zinnias and Marigolds.
- Heavy clay soils typical of East Dallas and Oak Cliff require generous mulching around young Sunflower and Watermelon vines to retain moisture during sudden dry spells between rains.
- Container gardening is essential for many residents due to urban heat islands; ensure pots used for Edamame or Thai Basil have adequate drainage to prevent root rot in compacted city dirt.
- Late spring winds can damage tall varieties like Pole Beans and Sweet Corn, so secure stakes immediately as plants begin to reach their full height.
Sow this week
30 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
39 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- 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
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks for continuous harvests.
- Mulch around young summer squash and watermelons to retain soil moisture as temperatures rise.
- Pinch back the tips of zinnias and cosmos to encourage bushier growth and more blooms.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are exploding on ornamental Fennel and Garden Verbena due to the recent lack of rain and high temperatures; spray with insecticidal soap early in the day.
- Aphid infestations are common on newly planted Bush Beans and Cowpeas, especially when plants are stressed by drought conditions typical of May in North Texas.
- Slugs and snails target low-growing Malabar Spinach and Nasturtium near ground level after overnight rain events.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to keep roots hydrated and reduce evaporation during hot afternoons.
Harvest bush beans when pods are tender but before they begin to flower or turn woody.
Dallas gardening questions
3Is it too late to start my squash seeds this week?
No, Yellow Summer Squash and Winter Squash are listed as sowable now, but plant them immediately in the hottest part of your garden bed for best results.
My okra plants aren't producing flowers yet. Should I fertilize more nitrogen?
Hold off on nitrogen fertilizer; too much promotes leaf growth at the expense of flowers during this heat cycle, and okra thrives with minimal extra feeding if started from seed.
Can I transplant my tomato seedlings now despite the zone 8b minimums being safe?
Transplant lists are currently empty for this week in Dallas, so wait until next week when heat waves subside slightly to avoid shock on delicate roots.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your Dallas garden in SproutGuide →