What to plant this week in Dallas, TX
In Dallas, the threat of frost has officially lifted with an average last date of March 1, signaling that week-long temperatures rarely dip below 15°F. This week is prime time to aggressively sow heat-lovers like okra and bush beans while beginning your harvest cycle for established crops such as cantaloupe and edamame.
The next 7 days
Dallas, TXGrowing in Dallas right now
- Dallas soils in the Metroplex often become hard-packed after winter rains; till or fork beds deeply before seeding cool-season herbs like basil and summer savory to ensure good root contact.
- The city's high humidity and intense afternoon sun create a 'heat dome' effect by mid-March, so use shade cloth for young zucchini and yellow squash seedlings until they are hardy enough to withstand full exposure.
- Watering needs spike as the week progresses; rely on morning irrigation to allow leaves to dry before nightfall, preventing fungal issues common in our clay-heavy garden beds.
Sow this week
13 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Summer Savory
- Yellow Summer Squash
- 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 pole beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout summer.
- Mulch around newly planted squash and zucchini to retain moisture as days get warmer.
- Thin out crowded seedlings of sunflowers and sweet corn to ensure proper air circulation.
Pest & disease watch
- Aphid colonies are rapidly rebuilding on the undersides of early zinnia and cosmos blooms due to the sudden warmth.
- Spider mites may appear if Dallas experiences an unusually dry week between storms, causing stippling on the leaves of newly transplanted sunflowers.
- Slugs remain active in shaded corners of gardens near Vinca or Madagascar periwinkle, especially after any overnight dew.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to encourage strong root growth while keeping foliage dry to prevent disease.
Snip off spent flowers from your yellow summer squash plants every few days to keep them producing more fruit.
Dallas gardening questions
3Can I finally plant my summer squash and okra seeds directly into my Dallas garden?
Yes, the soil has warmed sufficiently for these warm-weather crops since the last frost risk passed on March 1. Sow them deeply in full sun to take advantage of our long growing season.
Why are some of my early basil and French marigolds showing yellowing leaves?
This is likely a reaction to temperature fluctuations or a nitrogen deficiency common in Dallas clay soils during rapid spring growth. Side-dress with a balanced organic fertilizer and ensure they aren't competing for water.
When should I start harvesting my cantaloupe and honeydew melons?
Check the vines daily this week; harvest when the rind becomes dull rather than shiny and slips easily from the stem. Do not wait for them to turn fully orange, as peak sweetness occurs just before full ripening.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your Dallas garden in SproutGuide →