What to plant this week in Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth gardeners are well past the last frost date of March 1, allowing you to aggressively sow cool-season crops like Daikon Radish and Ornamental Allium right now. This week is also peak harvest time for your summer staples, including Zucchini, Bush Beans, and Butternut Squash, as the heat builds toward its seasonal maximum.
The next 7 days
Fort Worth, TXGrowing in Fort Worth right now
- With Fort Worth's alkaline clay soil common in Tarrant County, mix in generous amounts of compost or aged manure to improve drainage and nutrient retention before planting new seeds.
- The region's intense afternoon sun can scorch delicate seedlings; use temporary shade cloth for newly sown Daikon Radish until they establish deep roots in the native loam.
- Monitor soil moisture closely during dry spells, as the local climate often sees rapid evaporation that can wilt young transplants or stunt vining crops like Watermelon and Melons if not watered deeply.
- Take advantage of the mild winter squash season by harvesting Acorn Squash and Winter Squash now while they are mature but still tender enough for cooking.
Sow this week
2 crops- Daikon Radish
- Ornamental Allium
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
44 crops- Acorn Squash
- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Butternut Squash
- Cantaloupe
- Celosia (Cockscomb)
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Delicata Squash
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Morning Glory
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Purslane
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Spaghetti Squash
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and cowpeas every two weeks for a continuous harvest through late summer.
- Mulch around heavy feeders like corn, squash, and melons to retain moisture and suppress weeds as temperatures rise.
- Pinch back the tops of basil and borage regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch closely for spider mites on ornamental Alliums and Zinnias, as these pests thrive in Fort Worth's hot, dry air conditions.
- Inspect the undersides of Pole Beans and Bush Beans for bean leaf beetles, which can defoliate plants quickly during this active growth phase.
- Check Squash vine borers and cucumber beetles on your Cucumber, Butternut, and Zucchini varieties, as these insects are highly prevalent in our local gardens right now.
Watering this week
Provide deep, consistent watering at the base of plants every 2-3 days to prevent blossom drop on squash and melons.
Harvest acorn and butternut squash when they have fully ripened and developed a hard rind for best winter storage.
Fort Worth gardening questions
3Can I still start my vegetable garden from seed with the current heat?
Yes, you can immediately sow Daikon Radish and Ornamental Allium, which tolerate cooler temperatures better than other crops starting this week. For most warm-season vegetables like beans or squash, focus on direct sowing after ensuring consistent soil moisture rather than waiting for a specific date.
My Zucchini plants are producing rapidly but the fruit is getting bitter; what should I do?
Harvest your Yellow Summer Squash and Zucchini immediately when they are small to prevent bitterness, which often develops as the plant overproduces or gets water-stressed. Ensure you are watering deeply at the base of the plant rather than on the leaves to maintain consistent growth.
How do I protect my newly sown Daikon Radish from birds and squirrels in Fort Worth?
Cover seed rows with lightweight row cover fabric that allows light through but keeps larger critters out, removing it only once the first true leaves appear. Alternatively, place small netting cages over individual planting holes if you are starting seeds directly in the ground.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your Fort Worth garden in SproutGuide →