What to plant this week in Lubbock, TX
In Lubbock's dusty plains, this week marks the critical window before our late March 28 frost date when heat-loving crops like okra and sweet corn finally push through the soil. With nights still dipping near freezing but days climbing quickly, focus your efforts on hardening off seedlings indoors while preparing rows for warm-season giants that crave our long summer ahead.
The next 7 days
Lubbock, TXGrowing in Lubbock right now
- Lubbock's notoriously alkaline, clay-heavy soil needs a good amendment of organic matter or sand before planting beans and squash to prevent stunted growth.
- Avoid heavy watering in the early afternoon; our intense sun bakes the surface hard, making it difficult for young roots to penetrate without soaking them first.
- Windbreaks are essential now as spring gusts can easily shred tender seedlings like basil and cosmos before they establish deep root systems.
- Take advantage of our dry air by mulching heavily around watermelons and cucumbers to retain moisture that evaporates rapidly in this high-desert climate.
Sow this week
27 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
48 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Habanero Pepper
- Honeydew Melon
- Leek
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks to extend your summer bean harvest.
- Apply a light mulch around newly transplanted squash and watermelons to retain soil moisture as temperatures rise.
- Pinch back the tops of basil plants regularly now that they are established to encourage bushier growth.
- Prepare for a second planting of fast-maturing crops like radishes or lettuce if you missed an earlier window.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for aphids clustering on the undersides of newly transplanted squash leaves, which thrive when we begin mixing irrigation schedules.
- Spider mites may start appearing as humidity drops further into spring, especially if wind damage creates small wounds on plant tissue.
- Late frost events can still occur after March 28; cover sensitive seedlings like fennel with row covers immediately if a freeze is forecast.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants each morning to encourage deep roots while preventing fungal diseases on foliage.
Harvest your okra early in the morning when pods are tender, as they become tough and stringy later in the day.
Lubbock gardening questions
3What is the best time to plant okra in Lubbock this week?
You can sow okra seeds directly outdoors now since our soil has warmed enough for germination, but ensure you water deeply right after planting as dry spells are common.
Can I transplant sweet corn now or should I wait?
Sweet corn is listed for sowing now, so start seeds indoors two weeks early if you want a head start, but do not attempt to transplant established seedlings as they take poorly.
How do I protect my watermelon from Lubbock's late frosts?
Cover young watermelon vines with floating row covers or frost blankets at night, removing them during the day when temperatures rise above 50 degrees.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Lubbock garden in SproutGuide →