What to plant this week in Fresno, CA
Fresno's hot, dry summers and mild winters mean this week is all about capitalizing on the warmth while managing the intense midday sun that scorches exposed seedlings. With last frost long past in late January, your garden is fully active, but watch out for rapid evaporation as you harvest your abundant squash and melons ready right now.
The next 7 days
Fresno, CAGrowing in Fresno right now
- Tuck new Daikon Radish seeds into moist soil immediately before the afternoon heat bakes them dry; they germinate fastest if watered twice daily during this stretch.
- Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around Acorn and Butternut Squash to conserve moisture, as Fresno soils lose water quickly under the intense Central Valley sun.
- Transplant any remaining late-season flowers like Zinnias or Cosmos into partial shade for their first week to help them establish roots before the peak heat returns.
- Monitor soil moisture closely near irrigation lines where salty runoff from winter rains can accumulate and affect root health in this flat basin terrain.
Sow this week
1 crops- Daikon Radish
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
- Start succession planting cool-season greens now that the ground has warmed up slightly after the last frost date.
- Apply a light layer of mulch around established squash and melons to retain moisture as summer heat approaches.
- Divide and transplant perennials like borage and verbena while they are still dormant or just starting to grow.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider Mites are becoming active on leafy crops like Malabar Spinach and Borage as temperatures climb above 85°F, causing stippling damage on leaves.
- Aphids often cluster on the tender new growth of Pole Beans and Sweet Corn, requiring early inspection before populations explode in the dry heat.
- Thrips may target Zinnias and Celosia flowers, leading to bronzing and distorted blooms if left untreated with insecticidal soap.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to conserve heat and reduce evaporation during these mild days.
Harvest your acorn and butternut squash soon while the skin is still hardening to ensure long-term storage success.
Fresno gardening questions
3Is it too late to start cool-season crops like garlic or lettuce in Fresno this week?
No, you can still sow Daikon Radish now for a quick harvest, though traditional spring garlic is best planted later in the season. Focus your efforts on warm-weather favorites like Okra and Bush Beans that are ready to thrive.
How do I protect my Acorn Squash from getting sunburned in our intense Fresno afternoon heat?
Provide temporary shade cloth or position larger plants near taller shrubs until they develop a thick, waxy cuticle that resists burning. Water deeply in the morning rather than evening to reduce fungal risks associated with wet leaves at night.
What specific pests should I watch for on my watermelon and cantaloupe vines this month?
Watch closely for cucumber beetles which can transmit bacterial wilt, as well as spider mites that thrive in our dry, hot conditions. Hand-pick any large beetles you see and spray the undersides of leaves with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Other cities in zone 9b
10See the full zone 9b guide → · Plan your Fresno garden in SproutGuide →