What to plant this week in Palm Springs, CA
With night temps hovering near 30°F and frost still possible until mid-January, Palm Springs gardeners are already in full swing for winter crops while holding off on delicate spring transplants. This week is prime time to sow warm-weather giants like cantaloupe and bush beans directly into the heat, as the soil stays comfortably above freezing.
The next 7 days
Palm Springs, CAGrowing in Palm Springs right now
- Soil tends to be alkaline and sandy here; amend with compost before sowing heavy feeders like squash and okra to prevent nutrient lockout.
- The intense afternoon sun can scorch young seedlings quickly; use shade cloth for new plantings of fennel and nasturtium until they harden off.
- Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth in the rocky desert substrate, avoiding the shallow wetting common after light rain events.
- Watch for rapid temperature swings between 30°F nights and 80°F+ days; mulch heavily to protect soil moisture from evaporating instantly.
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
- Spider mites thrive in this dry heat on summer squash and zinnia, causing stippling damage that looks like fine dust specks.
- Aphids often cluster on the undersides of newly emerged bean leaves, especially pole beans and scarlet runner beans.
- Flea beetles may chew small holes in young brassica transplants if you are interplanting near existing crops for pest diversion.
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.
Palm Springs gardening questions
3Can I plant cool-season crops like lettuce now, or should I wait?
While the zone allows for late winter planting, current soil warmth is better suited for warm-season beans and melons; wait until February for most cool greens unless you use heavy shade cloth to lower ground temps.
Why do my zucchini leaves look yellow and crispy despite regular watering?
The sandy desert soil drains too fast to hold moisture near the root zone, causing stress even with frequent watering; switch to a drip irrigation system and add 2-3 inches of organic mulch around the base.
Is it safe to put out my outdoor furniture now that the frost date is January 15th?
Yes, the average last frost for Palm Springs is January 15th, so you can confidently move containers and patio sets outdoors anytime after mid-January without fear of freeze damage.
Other cities in zone 10a
6See the full zone 10a guide → · Plan your Palm Springs garden in SproutGuide →