What to plant this week in Oakland, CA
Oakland gardeners are in the thick of late summer harvest, with heavy crops like Acorn and Butternut squash ready to pull from the soil this week. While the air is warming up toward our Dec 20 first frost average, keep an eye on those cool-sensitive Zinnias and Sunflowers as night temps hover near the 30°F minimum zone floor.
The next 7 days
Oakland, CAGrowing in Oakland right now
- The Bay Area's persistent marine fog often cools Oakland nights; protect your Edamame and Malabar Spinach with row covers if a cold snap approaches.
- Oakland's red clay soil drains poorly during our wet season, so ensure your Acorn Squash and Pumpkin patches have raised beds for optimal root health.
- With the growing season winding down, it is time to sow Daikon Radish seeds now to harvest crisp roots before winter rains arrive.
Sow this week
2 crops- Daikon Radish
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
43 crops- Acorn Squash
- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Butternut Squash
- Cantaloupe
- Celosia (Cockscomb)
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Delicata Squash
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Morning Glory
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Purslane
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Spaghetti Squash
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and cucumbers every two weeks to extend your summer harvest window.
- Mulch around newly planted okra and summer savory to retain moisture as temperatures climb.
- Deadhead zinnias and cosmos frequently to encourage continuous blooming through the heat.
Pest & disease watch
- Squash vine borers are actively attacking Butternut and Delicata squash vines; check stems daily for frass or wilting tips.
- Aphid populations remain high on the abundant Zinnias and Cosmos in our urban heat islands; scout plants weekly for infestations.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to reduce evaporation and keep soil consistently moist but not soggy during this warm season.
Harvest zucchini and yellow summer squash daily when they are young to prevent them from becoming tough and seedy.
Oakland gardening questions
3When should I stop harvesting my Bush Beans to avoid them turning bitter?
Pick your Bush Beans every two days once they reach full size, as the pods can develop a tough texture and slight bitterness if left on the vine too long in our warm Oakland heat.
Can I transplant those Lisianthus seeds I have indoors now, or should I wait?
Do not attempt to transplant Lisianthus outdoors this week; since no plants are listed for transplanting currently, start these new seeds directly in the ground where they will thrive.
How do I prepare my Pumpkin patch for the upcoming winter frost?
Harvest your Pumpkins and Winter Squash now while they have hard rinds, leaving them on the vine only until the Dec 20 first frost date to prevent rot from early cold snaps.
Other cities in zone 10a
6See the full zone 10a guide → · Plan your Oakland garden in SproutGuide →