What to plant this week in Key West, FL
Key West gardeners are in full swing this week with no frost to worry about, allowing you to aggressively sow heat-loving crops like Malabar Spinach and Okra while harvesting your watermelons and zucchini. The island's intense humidity means growth is rapid but disease pressure will be high if you don't keep airflow moving through your beds.
The next 7 days
Key West, FLGrowing in Key West right now
- Amend sandy soil with generous amounts of compost or worm castings immediately, as native Key West sand drains too fast to retain nutrients for heavy feeders like squash and melons.
- Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around all crops now to combat the intense sun reflection off the limestone pavement and conserve moisture during dry spells.
- Water deeply in the early morning rather than evening to reduce fungal pressure; the island's humidity makes late-day watering risky for leafy greens like Shiso and Nasturtium.
- Consider building raised beds with a clay core or using heavy mulch, as native sand can be so porous that young seedlings dry out within hours of sowing.
Sow this week
12 crops- Basil
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
21 crops- Basil
- Cantaloupe
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Sunflower
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Start succession sowing cucumbers and yellow summer squash every two weeks for a continuous harvest.
- Pinch back tips on your basil and Thai basil plants to encourage bushier growth and more leaves.
- Divide or reposition Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) if they become overcrowded, as they thrive in this heat.
- Add compost to planting beds now to keep soil rich for the long growing season ahead.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are exploding in the heat and will quickly devastate Malabar Spinach and Shiso if humidity spikes drop; spray aggressively with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 3-4 days.
- Thrips love the warm nights on Key West and can ruin blossoms on Zinnias and French Marigolds before they open, requiring frequent inspection of new growth.
- Anthracnose fungal spots are rampant on Okra and Cucumbers when leaves stay wet from morning dew or irrigation; thin out crowded plants immediately to improve air circulation.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to keep soil moist without encouraging fungal issues on your leafy greens.
Harvest okra pods young and tender before they get woody to ensure the best flavor and texture.
Key West gardening questions
3Can I finally plant my Malabar Spinach seeds now since the frost date is gone?
Yes, this is the perfect time to sow Malabar Spinach in Key West, as it thrives in our heat and will bolt much slower than in cooler zones. Scatter seeds directly into prepared sandy beds and keep the soil consistently moist until germination.
My Zucchini plants are wilting at noon but perk up by evening; is this normal?
This is typical for Key West due to intense solar radiation, though it can also indicate that your sandy soil isn't holding enough moisture. Mulch heavily and water deeply in the early morning to ensure roots don't dry out during the peak heat.
I'm seeing white fuzz on my French Marigolds; what is eating them?
The white fuzz is likely thrips, which are very active in our warm nights and will continue to feed on your flowers until temperatures drop slightly. Hand-pick adults or spray the undersides of leaves with a strong jet of water or neem oil to break their cycle.
See the full zone 11b guide → · Plan your Key West garden in SproutGuide →