What to plant this week in Lubbock, TX
With the last frost finally passing in late March, Lubbock gardeners are officially turning up the heat on their summer plots. This week is critical for establishing warm-weather staples like okra, bush beans, and melons before our classic hot, dry season fully sets in.
The next 7 days
Lubbock, TXGrowing in Lubbock right now
- Our heavy clay soil retains moisture well but drains poorly; dig in plenty of compost now to improve aeration for newly sown squash and zucchini.
- Expect intense afternoon winds that can snap tall crops; stake sunflowers, pole beans, and trellis cucumbers immediately to prevent breakage.
- Rainfall is scarce this time of year; rely on deep, infrequent watering rather than frequent light sprinkles to encourage strong root growth in our arid climate.
Sow this week
2 crops- Yellow Summer Squash
- 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 bush beans every two weeks to ensure a continuous harvest through late August.
- Thin seedlings early on okra and watermelon plants to allow remaining specimens room to spread their vines.
- Apply a light layer of compost around established summer squash and zucchini to feed heavy fruiting plants.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites thrive quickly in our dry heat; inspect the undersides of squash and bean leaves daily for webbing or stippling.
- Cutworms often emerge from soil clods at night to devour seedlings, so check bases of young plants before closing up for the day.
- Powdery mildew can attack cucurbits if humidity spikes during early mornings; ensure good airflow between rows in raised beds.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to keep soil moist without wetting foliage, especially when fruit sets in.
Harvest zucchini and summer squash every two days to prevent them from becoming tough and bitter.
Lubbock gardening questions
3Can I plant garlic now even though it's spring?
Yes, garlic is listed for harvest soon and many local growers plant a fall crop that matures by late summer or overwintering cloves now for next year. However, for immediate summer yield, focus on the beans and melons listed for this week.
My zucchini plants are wilting despite watering; what should I do?
Lubbock's clay soil can suffocate roots if not amended, causing water stress even when wet. Check that your soil is loose enough to penetrate easily with a finger and consider side-dressing with compost to help the roots drink efficiently.
When is the best time to harvest my cantaloupe and honeydew?
Harvest these melons soon as they reach maturity, indicated by a deep rind color and a strong earthy scent near the stem. Do not wait for them to overripen on the vine, as high heat can cause sugars to drop quickly.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Lubbock garden in SproutGuide →