What to plant this week in Houston, TX
With Houston's heat already firmly in session and the last frost officially behind us, this week is prime time to direct-sow warm-season staples like okra, bush beans, and sweet corn while your current harvests of basil and cucumbers ripen. Gardeners here must act fast on moisture management as the region shifts from spring showers to intense, sporadic downpours that can easily wash away delicate seeds.
The next 7 days
Houston, TXGrowing in Houston right now
- Watch for rapid runoff in low-lying areas like the Third Ward or Clear Lake; amend sandy clay soils with compost to improve water retention before heavy rains hit.
- Avoid overwatering established transplants if you receive morning thunderstorms, as Houston's humidity combined with excess moisture invites fungal issues on leafy greens.
- Pinch back flowering branches on your basil and borage now to encourage a second flush of leaves for that summer salad rotation.
Sow this week
34 crops- Basil
- Black-Eyed Susan
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- 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
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
- Start succession planting for bush beans and summer squash now to ensure a continuous harvest through the heat of August.
- Pinch back the tops of Basil, Shiso, and Thai Basil regularly today to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering.
- Divide overcrowded Sunflowers or Zinnias if they are becoming leggy, replanting them for a fresh round of blooms.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch closely for spider mites on Fennel and Malabar Spinach during these dry, hot spells; spray with neem oil early morning if webbing appears.
- Inspect Zinnia and Cosmos stems for aphid colonies attracted to the high sugar content of late-blooming flowers.
- Keep an eye on Okra for okra weevil larvae if plants show stunted growth or yellowing at the base.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of vegetable plants during the hottest part of the day to keep roots cool and soil moisture consistent.
Interplant fast-maturing Bush Beans with slower-growing Pumpkins or Winter Squash to maximize space in your garden bed.
Houston gardening questions
3Can I still start my winter squash seeds outside in Houston this week?
Yes, Winter Squash and Zucchini are listed as sowable now because our nights rarely drop below 25°F anymore. Just ensure you plant them deep enough to protect them from the occasional cool snap we might see before mid-December.
How do I handle the heavy rains that are forecasted for later this week?
Absolutely, pinching off those flower buds will redirect energy back into leaf production so you get more harvest for your sandwiches. This is crucial in Houston's heat to prevent the plant from going dormant and stretching out.
What specific pests should I watch for on my Okra plants right now?
The okra weevil is the primary concern, so inspect the base of the stems and leaves daily for small grubs or frass. If you spot them, hand-pick them off carefully to avoid damaging the tender pods.
Other cities in zone 9b
10See the full zone 9b guide → · Plan your Houston garden in SproutGuide →