What to plant this week in Jackson, MS
With the last frost officially behind us in Jackson this week, your soil has likely already warmed enough to jump straight into warm-weather crops without waiting for a transplant. This is peak planting time for heat-lovers like okra and watermelon that thrive in our deep Mississippi red clay.
The next 7 days
Jackson, MSGrowing in Jackson right now
- Work organic matter heavily into the heavy clay loam before sowing beans or corn to prevent crusting and improve drainage during summer rains.
- Plant bush beans and cucumbers directly in the ground now; do not attempt to transplant these sensitive seedlings from pots as they will suffer root shock.
- Use raised beds with excellent drainage if you are planting melons, as Jackson's afternoon thunderstorms can quickly turn heavy soils into mud.
- Mulch heavily after germination to retain moisture and keep soil temperatures stable during our hot spring swings.
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
- Spider mites may appear on the undersides of newly planted leafy greens and okra as humidity drops in late April.
- Watch for cutworms damaging young bean seedlings at night; apply a simple diatomaceous earth barrier around the base of plants.
- Late-season cabbage moths can still emerge, so monitor brassicas if you are planting garlic or early spring transplants.
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.
Jackson gardening questions
3Can I plant sweet potatoes now in Jackson?
Yes, you can start slips indoors right away to ensure a strong head start before the intense summer heat arrives. Once they develop visible vines, harden them off for about 10 days before setting them directly into your warm soil.
What is the best way to grow okra in our heavy clay?
Okra loves this climate but requires loose soil; dig deep holes and mix in plenty of compost to break up compaction around the roots. Water deeply once a week rather than frequent shallow watering to encourage deep root growth.
When should I harvest my spring garlic after planting?
Since you planted garlic last fall, look for the first small bulbs (garlic scapes) forming now if they are not already harvested; however, wait until mid-summer for the full bulb crop to mature fully in our zone 8b climate.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your Jackson garden in SproutGuide →