What to plant this week in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles gardeners in zone 10b enjoy a perpetual summer where the threat of frost is long gone, allowing you to sow heat-lovers like watermelons and okra directly into the warm soil anytime this week. With no average last or first frost dates to worry about, your focus shifts entirely to managing intense afternoon sun and occasional dry spells typical of Southern California microclimates.
The next 7 days
Los Angeles, CAGrowing in Los Angeles right now
- Soil in many LA neighborhoods is often clay-heavy and prone to hardening; amend with compost before planting beans and squash to ensure proper drainage and root access.
- The coastal fog can delay drying on east-facing patios, creating a damp environment ideal for fungal issues—water early in the morning rather than evening.
- With no frost risk, treat this week as prime time to direct-sow long-season crops like summer squash and melons that need consistent warmth to thrive.
- Be mindful of sudden temperature drops after a cold front from the north; while rare, covering sensitive annuals like basil can prevent chilling if temps dip near 35°F.
Sow this week
32 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- 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
34 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- 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 bush beans every two weeks to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the summer heat.
- Pinch back the tops of zucchini and yellow summer squash to encourage more fruit production rather than large vines.
- Add compost or aged manure around the base of okra and tomatoes to retain moisture in the dry air.
- Deadhead spent flowers on sunflowers and cosmos to keep them blooming for pollinators all season long.
Pest & disease watch
- Aphids often explode on the new growth of pole beans and sunflowers during this humid window, requiring early inspection.
- Spider mites become active in hot, dry microclimates away from the coast, targeting zinnias and marigolds with stippling damage.
- Fruit flies are a constant nuisance around overripe produce on the ground, especially near watermelons and pumpkins.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants every 2-3 days to maintain consistent soil moisture during this hot weather.
Harvest basil and leafy greens like Malabar spinach in the cool morning hours for the crispest flavor and best texture.
Los Angeles gardening questions
3Can I plant my cantaloupes and honeydew melons now without worrying about cold weather?
Absolutely; with no frost dates in LA's zone 10b climate, these warm-season crops can be sown directly into the ground this week as long as the soil is dry enough to avoid rot.
When should I start harvesting my bush beans and cowpeas that I planted months ago?
You can harvest soon by pinching off pods when they are tender, while allowing some to mature fully for shell peas if you have varieties that set seed in this long season.
How do I protect my zucchini and yellow summer squash from the intense LA afternoon sun?
Provide afternoon shade cloth during heat waves above 95°F to prevent blossom drop, which is a common issue when plants get too stressed by excessive heat.
Other cities in zone 10b
4See the full zone 10b guide → · Plan your Los Angeles garden in SproutGuide →