What to plant this week in Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas gardeners in zone 9b are now fully immersed in the desert growing season, with frost dates firmly behind us and temperatures hovering near 25°F minimums. This week marks a critical transition from winter cool-season harvests to aggressive summer heat management for your warm-weather crops like okra and cucumbers. With no transplanting needed right now, focus shifts entirely to direct sowing seeds that can withstand our intense desert sun.
The next 7 days
Las Vegas, NVGrowing in Las Vegas right now
- Our unique desert soil is often sandy and drains too fast; mix in organic matter or compost before sowing beans and squash to hold moisture longer against rapid evaporation.
- With the last frost officially past on January 30, you have a full window to start heat-lovers like Malabar Spinach and Bush Beans directly in the ground without protection.
- Watering schedules must increase as we move toward summer lows; early morning irrigation is essential to prevent scorching foliage in our high-heat microclimates.
- Avoid planting tender annuals like Shiso or French Marigolds during heat spikes if possible, or provide consistent moisture since they struggle with drought stress.
Sow this week
18 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- 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
- Succession sow fast-maturing varieties like bush beans to extend your harvest window before the first frost in mid-December.
- Mulch around summer squash and pumpkin plants now to retain soil moisture as temperatures begin their annual dip.
- Prune back any leggy tomato or pepper vines if they are still growing, but be gentle with heavy harvest crops.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites thrive in our low humidity and hot conditions, particularly on Zinnias and Summer Savory; rinse plants with water daily to knock them off.
- Aphids often attack the new growth of Pole Beans and Scarlet Runner Beans in late winter as temperatures rise.
- Cutworms can be a nuisance for young seedlings of Okra and Yellow Summer Squash planted directly in sandy soil patches.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the late afternoon to keep soil cool, ensuring consistent moisture for your heavy feeders like okra and cucumbers.
Save seeds from your zinnias and sunflowers now while they are still green to ensure a fresh batch for next year's bloom.
Las Vegas gardening questions
3Can I plant my Zucchini seeds now, or do they need frost protection?
You can sow Zucchini seeds directly into the ground this week as our last average frost date was January 30. However, ensure you water deeply immediately after planting since our sandy soil dries out quickly.
Is it safe to harvest Garlic now even though the weather is getting hotter?
Malabar Spinach needs consistent moisture to germinate and set roots before the heat arrives; in Las Vegas, water daily if no rain occurs until seedlings reach two inches tall.
How do I prevent my Cucumbers from bolting too early due to our high temperatures?
To delay bolting in our intense heat, keep soil moisture consistent and apply a thick layer of mulch around the base to cool the roots. Harvesting fruits regularly also encourages the plant to continue producing rather than focusing on seeds.
Other cities in zone 9b
10See the full zone 9b guide → · Plan your Las Vegas garden in SproutGuide →