What to plant this week in Fort Worth, TX
In Fort Worth, the lingering chill of early March has mostly lifted, allowing gardeners to aggressively sow warm-season giants like sweet corn and okra in this week's 8b heat. With last frost averaging just one day away, you must ensure your seedlings aren't exposed to unexpected dips below 15°F before planting those tender transplants that are ready for the ground.
The next 7 days
Fort Worth, TXGrowing in Fort Worth right now
- The Blackland Prairie soil here is often heavy and clay-rich; amend garden beds generously with compost to improve drainage for watermelons and squash before sowing.
- Fort Worth receives intense afternoon sun in late winter/early spring, so use shade cloth on young seedlings of fennel and basil to prevent scorching before the monsoon season hits.
- Native mesquite trees often drop nitrogen-rich pods that can compact soil; rake these up from planting areas to ensure proper root establishment for your pole beans.
- Expect erratic wind events common in the DFW Metroplex, so stake tall sunflowers and corn immediately after germination to prevent lodging.
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
- Watch for cutworms attacking newly emerged bean seedlings at this transitional time of year before soil temperatures fully regulate.
- Monitor for aphid clusters on French marigolds and garden verbena as humidity levels begin to climb in the coming weeks.
- Early spring frosts can still damage tender leaves on edamame, so keep a close eye on overnight lows near the 15°F threshold.
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.
Fort Worth gardening questions
3Can I finally plant my sweet corn and watermelon seeds now?
Yes, this is an excellent week to sow these warm-season crops in Fort Worth as soil temperatures have stabilized above the critical 60°F mark. Be sure to pick a spot with full sun and avoid low-lying areas where cold air might settle.
What should I do about my garlic that was planted last fall?
Your garlic is currently active and needs consistent moisture, so water it lightly every few days if the heavy clay soil doesn't retain enough dampness. Avoid fertilizing heavily now to prevent leaf burn before the bulb swelling stage begins.
Are there any frost risks for my newly sowed okra this week?
While the average last frost date is March 1, Fort Worth can experience late freezes; cover sensitive seedlings with row covers if temps dip near 32°F. It is safer to wait until nighttime highs consistently stay above 60°F before expecting robust growth.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your Fort Worth garden in SproutGuide →