What to plant this week in Orlando, FL
Orlando gardeners are officially in the thick of summer heat, where the last frost date of mid-January means your landscape is already well-established and working overtime. This week focuses on managing intense humidity and high temperatures to protect crops like Okra and Malabar Spinach that thrive in this zone 10a climate.
The next 7 days
Orlando, FLGrowing in Orlando right now
- Plantings are strictly 'sow now' or direct seed only; do not attempt to transplant delicate starts like Fennel or Pole Beans into the scorching Orlando soil right now.
- Water early morning only to combat afternoon thunderstorms and reduce fungal issues on moisture-loving crops like Bush Beans and Cucumber.
- Apply a thick layer of straw mulch around Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash to keep roots cool during this peak summer heatwave.
Sow this week
26 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)
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
35 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- 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 summer supply.
- Thin emerging seedlings now so they can develop strong root systems before heat sets in.
- Mulch around heat-sensitive plants like fennel and nasturtium to keep soil temperatures stable.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for Spider Mites on Basil and Shiso, which explode in population when Orlando temperatures hit the 90s with low humidity spells.
- Monitor Okra plants closely for Southern Corn Borers and leaf beetles that are currently active in the central Florida region.
- Check Cleome (Spider Flower) and Cosmos stems for aphid colonies before they spread to nearby edible crops.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to reduce evaporation while keeping foliage dry to prevent fungal issues.
Pinch off spent flowers from zinnias regularly to encourage a second wave of blooms later this season.
Orlando gardening questions
3Can I still plant seeds in this 100-degree heat?
Yes, Orlando's long frost-free season allows you to direct sow heat-lovers like Cantaloupe, Watermelon, and Thai Basil anytime through late summer.
What should I do about my Okra plants that look stunted?
Ensure they have deep water in the morning; while Okra loves heat, Orlando's clay-heavy soil can dry out quickly and stunt growth if roots don't reach moisture.
Are there any crops to harvest immediately this week?
You should be ready to pull fresh Bush Beans, Cucumber, and Yellow Summer Squash from the garden as they mature rapidly in our subtropical climate.
Other cities in zone 10a
6See the full zone 10a guide → · Plan your Orlando garden in SproutGuide →