What to plant this week in Sacramento, CA
Sacramento's signature dry, hot days and cool nights are in full swing this week as we move past the last frost risk entirely. With soil moisture low from our prolonged summer drought, focus your efforts on watering deeply rather than frequently to help roots establish before temperatures peak.
The next 7 days
Sacramento, CAGrowing in Sacramento right now
- Water early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation loss common across Sacramento's clay-heavy soils.
- Mulch heavily around heat-loving transplants like Okra and Malabar Spinach to conserve moisture and keep roots cool.
- Avoid working in the soil during midday heat; wait until evening after 6 PM when temperatures drop below 80°F.
- Take advantage of the long frost-free window by starting late-season crops like Zucchini now for a fall harvest.
Sow this week
18 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- 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 fast-maturing varieties like bush beans to extend your harvest window before the first frost in mid-December.
- Mulch around summer squash and pumpkin plants now to retain soil moisture as temperatures begin their annual dip.
- Prune back any leggy tomato or pepper vines if they are still growing, but be gentle with heavy harvest crops.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are exploding on summer squash and beans due to the dry, dusty conditions typical this time of year.
- Watch for aphids clustering on new growth of Shiso and Thai Basil as humidity remains low but plant stress increases.
- Cutworms may still be active in the late evening if recent rains softened the ground near urban creek beds.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the late afternoon to keep soil cool, ensuring consistent moisture for your heavy feeders like okra and cucumbers.
Save seeds from your zinnias and sunflowers now while they are still green to ensure a fresh batch for next year's bloom.
Sacramento gardening questions
3Is it safe to transplant my heat-loving crops like Okra or Malabar Spinach right now?
Yes, Sacramento's soil is warm enough for immediate transplanting of these varieties since our last frost date was Jan 30. Handle roots carefully and water immediately after planting to combat the dry air.
My Zinnias and Bush Beans are wilting despite regular watering; what's happening?
This is likely heat stress combined with Sacramento's low humidity causing rapid moisture loss from leaves. Ensure you are soaking the soil deeply rather than misting, and consider providing temporary afternoon shade if temps exceed 95°F.
Can I harvest Cantaloupe or Watermelon this week in Sacramento?
Absolutely; these fruits are ready to pick when their stems break off easily with a gentle twist. Harvest immediately after cutting to prevent sunscald on the exposed flesh during our intense afternoon sun.
Other cities in zone 9b
10See the full zone 9b guide → · Plan your Sacramento garden in SproutGuide →